Reflection from Church of the Saviour, Washington, D.C.

Eclectic Justice
by Julian Forth

July 2, 2007

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Julian Forth helps prepare food in the Potter's House, the local coffee shop and bookstore.

Eclectic might be the best word in the English language to describe my participation at Church of the Saviour—and the general nature of Church of the Saviour itself.  As I attempt to engage the various ministries that are available, I find myself involved in radically differing forms of Christian service.

On one day I’ll prepare and serve food at the Potter’s House, a hospitable coffee shop and bookstore which ministers to a variety of people.  On another day I’ll spend hours in the intimate and contemplative atmosphere of Joseph’s House doing household chores while building relationships with the residents—impoverished African Americans who are living with AIDS and/or cancer.

I’ll also engage in a table discussion about the difficulties of racism and the challenges of reconciliation on other days.  I’ll serve food to homeless people, prepare the Friday night live music venue called Sounds of Hope, spend time in the worship of “noon prayers,” engage in a Sunday afternoon Bible study with other youth interested in social justice, and participate in spiritual support groups that have adapted the model of AA’s 12-step program to help us combat our culture addictions.

From the quiet, gentle compassion of the Joseph’s House to the vibrant social crossroad of the Potter’s House, my life at Church of the Saviour is anything but monotonous.

Though all of the ministries have provided me with distinct opportunities, I have a particular love for the Joseph’s House.  There, I find that contemplation and action meet; compassion and justice kiss (ref. Ps. 85:10).  Every Thursday the volunteering staff participates in guided meditation—an adaptation from Zen Buddhism—in order to focus, gain awareness of ourselves, and, eventually, to lose ourselves in selfless engagement in the life of the community.

Additionally, the Joseph’s House consciously retains a global perspective as we discuss current events in the world.  However, we embody our hope for justice and peace in the tender ministry of mopping the floors, driving residents to medical appointments, and preparing breakfast.  It is in our service and fellowship with those who have been overlooked by larger society that Joseph’s House incarnates the Gospel’s universal call for justice.

One notable experience involved visiting a resident of Joseph’s House whose severe condition required regular trips to the hospital.  During my first visit with him, his body was frighteningly thin, yet he joked with us and was in good spirits.  My second visit, however, was in a hospital of substantially poorer quality than the first, and his health had declined significantly.

I held his hand and spoke with him, asking only “yes” and “no” questions because he was unable to speak and too weak to write. Though I barely know this person, this is where compassion and justice meet—personally being with the marginalized and the forgotten in their hardships.  And this is just one aspect of the beautifully diverse ministry of Church of the Saviour.

Being part of this community has helped me to see that there are different forms of engaging justice and faithful work in the Kingdom of God. Serving food, caring for those who are sick, participating in edifying conversation – all of this points toward justice in the Kingdom.  This has helped me see that even within my vocational goal of establishing an intentional community, there are numerous possibilities for engaging in social change in creative and healing ways.

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