Recognizing Work Still Yet to Be done

On Monday night in the new UIS Student Union Ballroom our own Sue Hack was selected as the 2018 Outstanding Volunteer in the Springfield "Good As Gold" Volunteer Awards Ceremony! A small coterie of Sue's church family and devoted friends gathered to honor Sue as one of four nominees in the Distinguished Volunteer category of awards for the 10th Annual ceremony, hosted by the UIS Volunteer & Civic Engagement Center, Junior League of Springfield, and the United Way of Central Illinois. Recipients and nominees are drawn from charitable and nonprofit organizations in and around the Springfield area. Many of the organizations and agencies Hope Presbyterian Church has supported for many years were represented, including Habitat for Humanity of Sangamon County, Sojourn Shelter, Kumler Food Pantry, St. John's Breadline, and the Outlet, just to mention a few.

Of course we applauded each Distinguished Volunteer Nominee as they were called to the stage, with a bit more emphasis for Sue. When one of the two hosts indicated that there was a sealed envelope to be opened and the name of the Most Distinguished Volunteer would be read, Sue's peanut gallery got a little quiet, which is no mean feat!

And then "Susan G. Hack" was announced the winner, and the end of our table erupted in wild applause, hoots and hollers, and at least a few ear-piercing whistles! And I recall that there was no withholding of applause or dampening of the joy in the friends, family, and associates of the other nominees, to no surprise. I trust that those around us understood our exuberance as love and support for our friend, rather than a fist-pumping reason to chant "We're Number ONE!!"

You see, every nominee and every organization represented there KNOWS that we have only scratched the surface of the needs in our community and surrounding area. Every one of us were there to celebrate the collective nature of reaching out to those in need. I am deeply grateful to know this year's winner, Sue Hack, and to be a student of hers as she lives the calling of God in her life. I revel in the opportunity to participate in what I consider another demonstration of that "Great Cloud of Witnesses" of which we at Hope are a significant part. I understand the cheering and shouting to be a collective "Alleluia and Amen" by a small portion of the HUGE congregation throughout Springfield gathered in support of doing justice, loving kindness and taking our part in a humbling walk with God.
 
See you in church,
Pastor Chuck