Service

There is virtually a barrel of words in the family of the word service; serving, servant, performance, help, use, benefit–to name a few. One definition I like comes from Merriam-Webster; useful labor that does not produce a tangible commodity.  In a word, “service” is not for sale. In the last century, “Service Stations” populated street corners and along highways. When a customer pulled up to the gas pumps, a cheerful attendant hopped to the driver’s window asking what was needed. While the gas tank was filling, he checked the oil, and water levels, washed the windshield, checked tire pressure, and collected for the sale. That was service.

Later those chores were tacitly determined to be commodities, and withdrawn. Now you pay for all other commodities you chose, as well as for fuel,. Similar services evaporated in most retail stores. Oh. Sure you can locate “services” almost anywhere; that’s how they’re advertised but you pay for them. (For example Servicemaster, a great company that carries “service” in its name (I can tell you of a great experience with them.) But in our culture, “service” is hijacked for $$$.

This upcoming weekend celebrates a “Great Day of Service.” —and it is NOT a commodity foisted on us. It is in and out, up and down,—service, useful labor that does not produce a tangible commodity. AmeriCorps has the day of service listed in its website. An outgrowth of Martin Luther King Day of Service, the concept caught on widely. It is observed not only nationally, but also globally. Businesses, corporations, churches, and communities set aside the day (some set the entire weekend) to be of service to the community; Their volunteer efforts produce astonishing results of their volunteers’ service.

I found an example not far from my home in the Atlanta Metro area; A local United Methodist Church list of its volunteer community services in 2021. The list follows: (did I say volunteer?!)

• 1,000 pounds of food packed for The Community Assistance Center
• 175 Hygiene Kits packed for various homeless shelters
•60 Package of Hope food bags assembled for walk-in clients needing assistance
• 50 Blessing Bags assembled for Wesley Woods Senior Living
• 40 bags packed for Partnership Against Domestic Violence
• 30 kits assembled for Wellroot Independent Living
• 20 blankets made for Wellspring Living
• 20 pairs of shoes assembled for Sole Hope
• 18 dresses sewn for Mully Children’s Family
• A door installed at Hightower Homework Club
• Landscaping completed at Dunwoody UMC
• Landscaping & lattice repair at Wellspring Living
• Clothing collected for Drake House
• Over 600 cookies were baked and delivered to 10 different locations for Police Officers, Firemen and health care workers (including Dunwoody Urgent Care, Emory St. Joe’s Hospital, Piedmont Hospital and Northside Hospital).

The Disciples of Jesus thought they were really following him, but he still needed to teach them about service.; It was far from what they had conceived. It was about caring and doing for others first.There is today a prominent concept in Management Training and Practice; ‘Servant Leadership.” An oversimplified definition is  empowering employees, and assuring the well-being of those around them-–management, employees, and customers.

The Apostle Paul’s Paradigm of service is found in the Church (the Body of Christ) compared with the human Body. In another epistle, he points out how much we need each other (service in another form). Not simply needing each other, we are dependent on each other. If one fails in a task/service, someone else has to take up the task. I learned this when I dislocated my shoulder. A torn muscle no longer works. The Physical Therapist showed me how in the absence of that muscle, other muscles will pinch-hit to a remarkable degree.

May your service help to build The Beloved Community!