“Our mission is to feed the hungry, comfort the afflicted, seek justice for the homeless, and provide a sense of hope and opportunity to those in need.”
One might think that an Urban Ministry Immersion trip would include working at a soup kitchen. Not this one. Doug decided we needed a different lesson so one and two at a time we got into line to eat at this soup kitchen. Many of the students had already worked in a soup kitchen with their families. Never had they sat at table and shared a meal with those being served. A number of the students said this was the most humbling experience of their lives.
Holy Apostles Soup Kitchen has been serving meals since 1982. The Church of the Holy Apostles is located in the Chelsea section of the city and is home to the soup kitchen, a congregation and a temple. One of the things that is most striking is that the meals are served in the sanctuary of the church. In 1990 the worst happened. There was a horrific fire and the inside of the church was destroyed. When they rebuilt, they left out the pews. It is very impressive to sit at a table in this sanctuary and be served a meal. It gives the term “sanctuary” a whole new meaning.
Guests are not necessarily homeless. Many are just trying to make ends meet. Perhaps the choice for them is between rent and food, or health care and food. Putting us in this position let us see from the inside. Regulars in line were only too happy to give tips to new comers. They shared where to get all kinds of free services.
It was Ash Wednesday and in the corner of the sanctuary one could have ashes imposed. This is important to The Rev Glenn Chalmers who serves as Rector of the church and Executive Director of the soup kitchen. It is one more way to keep the church present in this 27 year old ministry.
We are grateful to Rev Bob who imposed the ashes and Derek Dewees, Director of Administration, who took time to talk to us about the mission of the church, finances, and the soup kitchen. What was most fascinating about these men was that the Rev was a retired banker. Mr. Dewees who had only been at Holy Apostles for six months had worked in Corporate America before working in a couple of nonprofits in California, eventually making his way to NYC and Holy Apostles Soup Kitchen.
This was a profound experience for me as I’ve always been on the other side of the serving line or in a large group siting together to eat. Having to sit in the little park outside the church and wait my turn to enter the line (I was one of the last) gave the opportunity to talk with a great friend of mine and to prepare to step into the shoes I was being asked to fill. I took my role seriously and felt embarrassed with my attire and my obvious station. However, I conversed with other people in line and accepted my meal ticket with a quiet thank you. I remember being disoriented in the kitchen as I didn’t know quite where to go. The servers smiled and gave me my tray then pointed me in the right direction. I entered the sanctuary (where everyone ate) and was aware that I was indeed standing on holy ground. Right after that realization the awkwardness of my situation hit me full force. Here I was, a stranger in a strange place, separated from my companions, fearfully looking around for a place to sit. Several times I made my way to a seat only to have it be filled before I could sit down, I felt like I was back in High School on the first day of class looking for possible friends. Eventually, a small woman told me to, “sit here” and I did because she kinda scared me. I ended up at a table with other div students, but decided to continue playing the role. I ate my meal in silence, responding when spoken to, passing the sugar or salt, and discreetly watching my table mates.
Sitting at that table, eating my chicken patty I began to understand a small part of the feeling of hopelessness that many of my table mates lived with day in and day out. The feeling of this space being holy ground grew and became more intense as I struggled to swallow chunks of bread from my tray. On the verge of tears I sat and ate. I didn’t want to leave but at the same time I knew that someone else could really use my chair. Fighting the desire to stay and the desire to help someone else, I got up from the table and stumbled over towards the tray turn-in place to give up my tray. The men and women smiled at me and thanked me for coming to eat and then showed me how to exit the space. As I walked through the door I saw the ladies staffing the “extra bread” table smiling as they handed out rolls and slices of bread. I walked into the diffused sunlight and took a deep breath. I wanted to go back for more!