In the Gospel, our Lord commands us to love our neighbor as ourselves, to see Christ in the person we may not know, who may not look or speak like us, and who may live beyond our familiar circles. A little over a year ago, a small group of Orthodox Christians in Bridgeport, CT began praying about what it would look like to live that commandment together. From those conversations and with prayers and support from so many, FOCUS Bridgeport was born.
This past weekend, by God’s grace, we served our very first meal to the children and families of Beardsley School. What unfolded was more than a meal; it was a beginning. Orthodox Christians from different parishes stood side by side, many meeting for the first time, preparing food, blowing up balloons, and learning one another’s names. In those simple exchanges, the pan-Orthodox vision of FOCUS came alive. Volunteers spoke not only about the joy of serving, but about the joy of building new relationships across parish lines.
That night, our guests spoke different languages, and we were grateful for volunteers who could translate and help bridge conversations around the tables. They expressed how they were longing for connection. Nearby, children created a mural with pictures of what they love about their community. I sat with Izzie, a third-grade girl, to talk about her drawings. When I noticed her studying my face, I suggested we draw one another. In that quiet moment, the space between us disappeared. What began as a shared art project became something deeper — a reminder that connection often begins by simply sitting down together.
We are still in the early days of this work, laying foundations we pray will endure. This ministry begins with meals, but it is ultimately about widening our circle so that Christ’s love reaches beyond our parish walls and into the neighborhood around us. We are deeply grateful for the prayers, generosity, and encouragement that made this first service possible. This is God’s work, and we are simply invited to take part. We hope you will join us in prayer as this small beginning grows, trusting that God will continue to bless and multiply what He has started in Bridgeport.
Linda Kolton, Center Director
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