Anticipating New Life: Serving Our City on Holy Saturday
What do we do on Holy Saturday as we wait with growing anticipation to celebrate the Resurrection? How about rip out weeds, lug mulch, and prep the ground for new life?
About forty volunteers, ranging from Youth Fellowship and college students to adults, gathered Saturday morning in the East End of Richmond to come alongside Urban Hope in their mission to provide affordable housing. Redeemer's past three work days have been spent on outdoor maintenance and landscaping, allowing Urban Hope to provide not only a shelter for families, but space to build community and houses to reflect the light of Jesus to the neighborhood. One of the ways Urban Hope gets to show care for their tenants is by taking good care of the outsides of these houses.
This year, we were at two houses acquired by Urban Hope in December. Families have already moved in (the insides were move-in-ready), but the outside of both needed some work. CCO students from UofR and leaders were busy prepping the yard for seeding and cutting new flower beds along the house. They made quick work of it. Redeemer volunteers and Youth Fellowship students joined other regular Urban Hope volunteers in building fences, laying top soil, cutting out and mulching new beds, and prepping the raised bed for planting.
While sweat dripped as I stood over a weed that was giving me particular trouble, I made eye contact with a friend. We both agreed this was hard, but I was reminded of my reflection on Good Friday. The cross would have been bloody, the ground around stained with the blood that had dripped from the wounds of Jesus. And yet that blood was exactly what, three days later, would cause flowers to bloom (an image beautifully represented by the flowering of the cross outside of Redeemer on Easter). Because of the cross, our sweat working against the evil of weeds that overtake, and grass that spreads in all the wrong places, is not in vain. Our sweat leads to new life. It was a gift to work hard and struggle alongside my brothers and sisters. We were tired, many weak from fasting, but hopeful too. Because of the cross, the hardships of this world don’t get the final say. Sunday is coming!
Finished and tired, we gathered together for lunch and heard a bit more about Urban Hope's vision. They currently have 45 units being rented to families at a range of affordable prices, matching their ability to pay. Nine more units are in the pipeline. Urban Hope also offers financial health classes open to the community. They seek to care for and teach individuals about finances with a heart for the whole person, not just their budget. Carolyn, the director of programs and teacher of these classes, explained beautifully that the goal isn't just for participants to have a different relationship with money, it's that they themselves become different, and from that place they are able to use their money differently. That's the only way change lasts.
It’s truly an honor to support Urban Hope financially as a Justice & Mercy partner, as well as physically in our work days. In the fall, we plan to return to these two houses to plant. If you are knowledgeable about plants and/or may have plants to share (split from your own garden or purchased) please reach out to Isabelle Huggard. Redeemer is excited to continue to grow our relationship with Urban Hope and be a part of the great work they are doing.
Isabelle Huggard
Justice & Mercy Liaison — Urban Hope
