Tracing Our Roots: Reflection

As we enter the month of February, a time traditionally set aside for reflection, renewal, and remembrance, I invite you to join me on a journey—one that traces the roots of our faith, both in the history of our church and in our personal lives. In the Episcopal Church, we are rooted in a deep tradition that stretches back to the early Church, to the apostles, to the faithful men and women who have come before us. Yet, our individual journeys of faith are also grounded in the everyday moments of grace, challenge, and transformation that shape us as Christians today.

February, with its often quieter rhythms after the busyness of the holiday season, offers us an opportunity to pause, reflect, and reconnect with the foundation of our belief. As we reflect on the life and ministry of Jesus Christ, let us also reflect on the ways that the church—the Body of Christ—has continued to move, breathe, and live across the centuries, carrying the Good News into new contexts, new languages, and new challenges.

When we trace our roots as a community of faith, we do not only look back at the distant past. We also look to the ways that those roots are alive in us today. Each of us carries the history of our church in the way we live our faith. We stand on the shoulders of those who came before us: the early Christians who forged a path in times of persecution; the reformers who sought to bring the Church back to its core teachings; the saints and martyrs who bore witness to Christ with their lives.

In February, we also observe the Feast of the Presentation of our Lord (Candlemas), a moment in the Church calendar when we celebrate the recognition of Christ by Simeon and Anna, two figures rooted deeply in the faith of Israel. They were waiting for the fulfillment of God’s promise, and when they saw the infant Jesus, they knew that the long-awaited Savior had arrived. This feast reminds us of the deep roots of our faith in the Hebrew scriptures, showing us how God’s promises stretch back through time and continue to unfold in our lives.

As we reflect on our roots, let us also look to the future. Our tradition calls us not just to celebrate our past, but to live in hope for the future—working together to extend Christ’s love and justice to the world. The question for each of us this month is: How will we live out the legacy of faith passed down to us? What will we do with the roots we have been given?

My prayer for all of us this February is that we might find strength and purpose in the rich heritage of our faith, and that we may also look forward with hope and courage to the journey ahead. Let us continue to trace our roots—both backward and forward—so that we may grow in the love and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.

 Chippewa Valley Street Ministry Journal

January 6, 2025

2025 has arrived and we wish you all good health and happiness in the New Year.  We continue to be busy providing essential services and items to keep our community's unhoused population as safe as possible.  The darkness settles over us as we arrive at our usual site but we have noticed that the shadows are coming a little later each day — there is promise of warmth and light as we all go through each day.  

 

We gained followers and more support over the last year -- THANK YOU! We note regularly that we could not provide our services without you, our support network. Before we talk about the current happenings that we're seeing, we want to remind everyone reading this what we do.  The street ministry started in 2012 and even though we have grown, our mission remains the same: treat those we serve with unconditional love, dignity, and respect. While we provide clothing and food, our presence and service extend further than that.  We are a ministry of presence and often provide care by listening and accepting people for who they are and for the situation they are in. Sometimes by saying less, there is more communication. We are prepared to serve up to 70 people each evening when we go out with food, beverages, clothing, blankets, sleeping bags, and other items that are requested. We are an all-volunteer organization that is faith-based but we do not proselytize. We do not require any identification for services as over many years we've learned that people are often more open and willing to talk if they feel less exposed.  We meet our brothers and sisters where they are at — not just physically but also where they are socially and emotionally.  We are out in the elements with those we serve whether it be rain, snow, cold, or heat. We don't have the protection of a roof just as many of our brothers and sisters do not have the protection of shelter.  We work with our friends on the street, travel to rural areas to provide support, and are available for other circumstances. We have made hundreds of jail/prison visits to provide support while someone is incarcerated to remind them that they matter and have someone in their corner. We've developed an incredible support system that has allowed the street ministry to operate solely on donations for our entire existence. 

 

Pictured are a few of our amazing volunteers: Tim, Steve, Adam and Karen

 

Last week we encountered a man who arrived at our tables shivering and telling us that he needed "everything."  While we gathered clothing and a coat, we listened to his story.  He wasn't sure how the process worked to get into the shelter or what to do the following day.  We encouraged him to use the resources in the community to be safe, warm and fed. 

 

Another man that we've known for several years arrived with a walking boot on his foot. Once his requests for clothing were filled, we assisted him to the shelter. It was unclear as to what his injury was related to, but we all agreed that it was helpful to not have snow banks or slushy sidewalks for him to contend with. 

 

We continue to hear people talk about staying outdoors at night. This is concerning with the cold air upon us.  There are reports of frostbite and damage to skin from the cold. One man complained that he couldn't feel his feet due to the cold and cried in pain. We were able to provide thick, warm socks and boots prior to him walking back into the darkness.  We encourage use of the shelter but for one reason or another, some people can't or won't stay there.  When it is cold out, our conversations are sometimes short to allow the person we're serving time to move on to hopefully safer and warmer areas. 

 

As we move forward into 2025, please take time to review our journals to learn what is happening out on the street, we share what we see and hear.  Our needs list is updated, please help us support our unhoused brothers and sisters. 

 

Thank you, blessings to all.
CVSM staff

 

We gladly accept new AND gently used items. 

*Please be sure any used items are clean and in good condition.*

 

Financial donations - we purchase city bus passes regularly to provide to the people we serve for transportation to work, appointments, and general use. These are costly to purchase in the quantity that we need. We also purchase items that are not donated and are limited in our stock.

Winter boots - warm, in good condition, no dress boots - please.

Sweatpants - People will layer sweatpants over jeans or other pants. We need sweatpants in sizes L and larger

Please note the following information for donations:

Checks and/or gift cards can be mailed to:

CVSM
PO Box 51
Eau Claire, WI 54702

Electronic donations can be made at our Facebook page and our website:

facebook.com/chippewavalleystreetministry
chippewavalleystreetministry.org

For all other donations, our usual drop-off location is:

Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd
1120 Cedar Street
Eau Claire, WI 54703
(715) 834-2959

(We recommend calling ahead to confirm
the office will be open to accept your donation)

Please contact us to schedule a drop-off if you need a specific time.
Contact us through email, Facebook, or our website.

facebook.com/chippewavalleystreetministry
chippewavalleystreetministry.org