A morning of service, community, connection at Pilgrim St. Luke’s Church

Students in UB’s Daniel Acker Scholars Program are encouraged to embrace leadership, social justice and service while fostering meaningful connections within the community. A group of scholars, along with students from UB’s Proud to be First program, recently had the opportunity to experience those values firsthand through a community service project at Pilgrim St. Luke’s Church in Buffalo.

As the scholars vacuumed, mopped and dusted spaces throughout the church on a recent Saturday morning, they learned about the church’s history and its mission of advocacy from Pastor Nancy Rosas and several church members, including Barbara Schifeling, chair of the board of trustees; trustee Bob Cook; and office manager Marianne Rathman. The students were later joined by Kate Ward, chair of the refugee ministry team, and Jemina Andino, a longtime community member, and her daughter, Dasha, who also took part in conversations with the students throughout the day.

The church was established in 1872 by German immigrants who wanted to practice their faith in their own language. Over the years, the church has developed a rich history of welcoming people from different places and now collaborates with community partners involved in advocacy for Black and LGBTQIA populations, mental health for families, and cat rescue.

Since 2016, St. Luke’s has worked to provide a welcoming space for refugees; at one point, 11 people were sharing space in the church basement. Families worldwide have come to the church as a rest stop on their journey to Canada.

“Your service is part of the good work we do here,” Rosas told the scholars.

Schifeling, a retired attorney, explained that her experience as a lawyer has contributed to her work at the church, helping her stay organized and focused, and most importantly, hopeful.

She noted that when trying a case, a lawyer must believe they will win the case and justice will be served — sentiments that are also crucial in her work at St. Luke’s.

Schifeling said her favorite part of being a member of St. Luke’s is working with refugees and the relationships she has formed. She said the church teaches refugees how to start small businesses selling homemade food and other goods so they can earn money by sharing their culture.

Rosas shared with scholars the story of her own journey to the U.S. Growing up in Central America, she was inspired by her mother, who became a minister following a career in nursing. Rosas takes immense pride in the church’s work providing asylum for refugees seeking a new home. “That we can do it on our own is an illusion,” she noted.

“Who we are and what we are building here is a glimpse of what a good world can be,” she said, describing St. Luke’s as a multigenerational, multiracial and diverse community brought together by people who have chosen to share their lives and faith.

“People intentionally serving with their words and actions, encouraging peace and justice and goodness and kindness in the world — we need more of that,” she said.

Rosas encouraged the scholars and others to join church members, “not only imagining and dreaming, but building that world.”

“A good world. A just world. A more passionate multicultural, multiracial world reflects the kind of world God created and imagined us to live in,” she said.

The Daniel Acker Scholars Program fosters a unique learning community, bringing together academically talented and diverse students committed to social justice, leadership and community service. Acker scholars benefit from tailored support and enriching opportunities that enhance their college experience, from enrollment through graduation and beyond.

For more information, visit the program’s website.