Compassionís community meets

By MaryHelen Swanson
ìWhy are we here?î asked Pastor Leroy Scheumann, standing before a group of sleepy people on Saturday morning at St. Peterís and Paulís Catholic Church in Braham.
After hearing the story about the bum on Chestnut Street, those who had come in out of the cold that day to attend a conference on compassion, understood why they were there.
It was about seeing Jesus in their fellow beings- in the bum on Chestnut street who needed a hug, in the homeless in Cambridge who needed a place to sleep, in young people in Lindstrom who need to be understood by adults, in a parent from Braham who worked for over 40 hours and still could not support her family. It was about people.
The Congregations in Community 2003 conference, with its theme of Compassionís Connection, drew several dozen people together to pray, listen, share and learn.
Pastor Scheumann opened the conference with the story of the man on Chestnut street who willingly accepted a sip of hot coffee on a cold day, but who see real need was a hug from someone who cared.
Few words were needed to explain the story to the attendees who were familiar with the 25th Chapter of Matthew in the Bible ì (I was) naked and you put your arms around me.î
Following the singing of ìLet There Be Peace on Earth,î the group witnessed the strong messages of social injustices in the dramatic production ìFood for Thoughtî presented by church members from Milaca.
In small workshops, the group learned about programs and agencies and local faith-based services that are helping members of our communities.
Groups represented in the workshops came from Rum River Interfaith Caregivers, New Pathways, Inc, a program working with homeless out of Cambridge, Family Pathways, Place of Hope Ministries from St. Cloud, Community Pathfinders in Stacy, Communities Investing in Families which are helping to promote and sustain families in East Central Minnesota and numerous other groups serving the needs of hurting people in our communities.
With their hearts full of compassion, their minds full of facts and their stomachs full of the delicious meal prepared by the women of St. Peterís and Paulís, the attendees received a final send off with the words of Jeri Hirsch, VISTA volunteer and coordinator of the conference.
She told the group that she was the face that went with all the numbers they had just heard about.
She told her story of homelessness after leaving an abusive marriage.
She told how the staff at New Pathways really did lead her on new path ways so that today, she is able to provide a home for her children, has a job that fits her abilities and has regained her faith in God.
With that testimony, the attendees headed out the door to find where they could fit into the picture, or continue the good work they are already doing.

Communities Investing in Familiesí board of directors is seeking individuals in Pine, Kanabec, Mille Lacs, Isanti and Chisago counties who would like to serve on the Congregations in Community conference committee.
To learn more about the committee or to volunteer to serve, call Jeri Hirsch at (763) 552-0104.

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