Al&#039;s Outreach Outtakes

February 20, 2021

I have lost track of how many times I have said that no one person, church or organization alone can solve , but together we can do amazing things. I say it because I truly believe it. I see it in examples every day. Our own Food Closet and Outreach Ministries are successful because you and our volunteers unite together to make it happen. Emergency food box distributions occur every Thursday because the Archdiocese helped organize it and Beaverton Foursquare said a resounding YES when asked if they would like to partner with us. People get their teeth fixed every month because Medical Teams International finds volunteer dentists and assistants to spend a few hours inside of a bright red bus parked in our lot. These are just examples within a few hundred yards of Holy Trinity.

The beauty behind this approach is at least twofold: 1) combining resources opens the door to so many more things that can be addressed and, hopefully, resolved; 2) you get introduced to so many others along the way which, in turn, creates new connections that enable you to find ways to solve yet more challenges. It really does have a multiplicative effect.

Thanks to COVID, I have developed a love hate relationship with technology, especially Zoom and its equivalents. I love it because I have had the chance to meet and work with so many people I never would have before; exhilarating! The hate part comes in simply because there are times the technology is simply smarter than me! Having had a previous career in high tech, I have no fear of it, but am frequently humbled when one of my grandkids has to show me how to do something. That being said, the expanded relationships that have developed as a result of it, make all of the challenges well worth it. I struggle to see a reason why I will ever abandon using it in the future.

So what’s the point behind all of this? Don’t be afraid to safely combine your passion to help others with others. Maybe it’s via Zoom; maybe it’s a phone call; maybe it is just searching for an organization that you align with and asking how you can help. I know we have socialization challenges, and I ask that you be very cautious in your approach, but there are ways to connect. Get creative; reach out. Once you do I think you will be surprised at what can be accomplished. The great part along the way is not only will you be helping others, but you will likely meet some amazing people; people who will expand your horizons and help you to see life and others in a new way. People who will help you to

GO MAKE A DIFFERENCE!