Churchwide Serving Day brings volunteers together to support local partners

As the chill began to fade in Arden Forest the morning of Saturday, April 9, 2022, Rev. Paul Rasmussen shared a blessing to the crowd. From there, more than 480 adults, youth, and children alike headed to 22 project sites to serve together as one united church throughout Dallas.

“This is one of my favorite days,” Rev. Paul Rasmussen said. “You’re going to go out in the field today, get your hands a little bit dirty, sweat a little bit, and see some of the extraordinary partners that we’re able to walk side-by-side with to help a lot of people.”

Serving Day was a chance to support local partners who do amazing work on a daily basis, addressing the needs of health, housing, and education. Team volunteer leader for CitySquare Christine Dombrowski said they had a group of 25 volunteers that packed over 600 non-perishable bags of food, as well as assembled 270 bundles of diapers. Helping her and those around lean into the mantra, “If faith without works is dead, we are surely alive!”

“We're grateful to all of those who answered the call to serve on Saturday,” said Arang Cistulli, HPUMC’s Serving Coordinator. “For many of us, it felt like returning back to what we normally do: serving others from a place of God's overflowing love. For others it was a sample of what they can do, not only to help others but also to experience a deeper love that comes from Jesus Christ.”

Not only did it make a difference for the partners and communities HPUMC served; it was said to be a moving experience for all of those who participated as well.

“What better way to develop a deeper relationship with God?” Cistulli asked. “It doesn't get any easier–just show up, and let God do God's thing through you.”