For Christians, love is an action verb. Being a Christian is not just about believing certain things. It is about putting God’s love into action by serving others, righting wrongs, and making the world a better place.
What does it mean to put your faith into action? It can be small acts of kindness every day. It can be working with others to make our community cleaner and beautiful. It can be sharing food with others. It can be helping build a home for someone without one. There are many opportunities in our community for putting your faith into action. Auburn is a caring community, and many organizations would love your help Saturday, May 22 in the 2021 Day of Service.
On Saturday morning, May 22, you are invited to work alongside others (masked and/or at safe distances, of course) to make our community better. Afterwards, share in a free picnic lunch downtown with live music by Perform 4 Purpose, hosted by Westminster Church and Saints Peter and John.
Here are some of the options for community service:
BID Downtown “Flower Power” Spring Planting Day
9am until done, starting at Exchange Street for instructions
Downtown Auburn is brightened by colorful flowers throughout the summer growing in huge self-watering planters on city sidewalks. Help is needed to plant flowers. Bring gardening gloves and any gardening tools you like to work with. Contact Stephanie DeVito at [email protected] or 315-252-7874 for more information.
Cayuga County Habitat for Humanity Work Day
8am-12pm at 144 Wall Street
Habitat for Humanity puts God’s love into action by bringing people together to build homes, communities, and hope. The Cayuga County chapter is rehabilitating a home at 144 Wall Street for a new family, and welcomes volunteers ages 18 and up. Wear work clothes and close-toed shoes. Numbers are limited due to COVID, and pre-registration is required; email [email protected].
Westminster Church Property Work Day
9am-12pm at 17 William Street
Our own church has a variety of tasks and chores for all ages and skills, both inside and outside the building. We welcome volunteers of all skill levels to keep our downtown church safe, clean, and in good repair. Wear work clothes and close-toed shoes; bring garden gloves for landscaping. We will also need volunteers to help prepare and serve the lunch which will be offered this day.
Auburn Beautification Park Pick Up at Veterans Memorial Park
9am-12pm at Veterans Memorial Park on Genesee St
Volunteers are needed to clean and detail the Veteran's Memorial Park/Pomeroy Park next to the Cayuga County Office Building on Genesee Street. They will be picking up trash, raking and planting flowers to get the park ready for Memorial Day. Volunteers are asked to check-in on the Genesee Street side of Veteran's Park. If you or your group would like to adopt another park to pick-up on this day, please email [email protected] and they will assist you in the effort.
CNY Tomatofest Canned Food Drive
10am to 2pm at BOCES
Donations of canned food are being collected at the Cayuga-Onondaga BOCES campus to benefit local food pantries. This drive is co-sponsored by the Auburn Police Department, the Cayuga County Sheriff’s Department, and CIAO.
Free Lunch at Westminster Church
11:30am-12:30pm at 17 William Street
Westminster Church and the soup kitchen at Saints Peter and John invite everyone to take a break from their hard work to share a free picnic lunch of hot dogs, sides, drinks, and dessert (with some vegetarian options too) on the church’s front lawn. Meals will be bagged “to go,” but outdoor seating will also be provided. Perform 4 Purpose will be providing live music from 11:30am to 12pm.
There’s a popular hymn from the 1960s called “They’ll know we are Christians by our love.” It includes the verse,
“We will work with each other, we will work side by side,
We will work with each other, we will work side by side,
And we’ll guard each man’s dignity and save each man’s pride,
And they’ll know we are Christians by our love.”
We hope to see many people out in full force next Saturday working side by side to make our community a better place.
See you at the 2021 Day of Service!