Caught in the Act of Generosity! Al Burgermeister & Jack Harvey

by Cheri Plavnick for the Radical Generosity Committee
Al Burgermeister and Jack Harvey moved to Albuquerque in June 2022, attending services the day they arrived! First U is much larger than their UU fellowship in Florida; they thought it might be difficult to fit in. The size of our membership was daunting, but after a warm welcome by the greeters and the content of the service that day, they knew they had found their spiritual home.

They arrived shortly after the main brunt of COVID and folks were still wearing masks.That made it difficult to remember faces but people were so warm and welcoming, they quickly felt at home. Eventually, the mask requirement was removed and attendance at the 11:00 service grew. Both say that becoming involved as volunteers was very helpful in becoming aware of the expanse of the work of our church.
Initially, they both volunteered with the campus clean-up, which included picking up trash on the grounds. Al continued with the Saturday morning grounds work of the landscaping team. Jack began volunteering at the Welcome Table and then became an usher. Following the retirement of Rebecca Gracey as director of the Food Pantry, Al took on the role of assistant director, supporting Rachel Jarrett and then serving as co-director with Jessica Tafoya, Al asked Jack to help with the Tuesday food deliveries from Road Runner. Jack’s role then expanded into co-chair of the Food Pantry, managing the weekly deliveries.

Al said he very much enjoyed his time as part of the leadership team of the Food Pantry. The program provided him with an opportunity to use his team-building, management, and promotional skills. He loved working with the “amazingly dedicated, creative, and caring volunteers who make our church’s food panty such a great success.” His biggest lesson in that work was the scale of human need for sustenance that our fast-paced, success-oriented society leaves in its wake.

Jack shared that despite being shy during coffee hour, he is an extrovert. Al shared most people wouldn’t guess he began his professional life in the ministry. Five years after completing seminary, he left that role but for most of his working life, he maintained an avocation as a church organist and choir director. Al and Jack have plans to relocate to Quebec this summer. We are blessed to have known them for the past three years and wish them joy in their new home.