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Behind the red doors of Pilgrim St. Luke’s United Church of Christ, a quiet but powerful ministry is reshaping how community service is understood—not as leadership or charity, but as accompaniment.

On Saturday, May 3, 2025, a group of Acker Scholars spent the day volunteering at the church’s International Food and Craft Fair. Students decorated the building’s exterior, offered support to congregants and participated in dialogue with neighbors from Buffalo’s West Side. The day also provided a chance to learn about a ministry that views service as walking alongside others—especially migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers—rather than leading or “fixing.”

An ever-growing member of that ministry is Kate Ward, a Buffalo native and daughter of a preacher. “I didn’t start doing this type of work until roughly 2017,” she said, recalling the church’s growing involvement with refugee support programs. “It was a new thing for me. I had to learn a lot. But I’m forever grateful for that path.”

Ward, who has worked in education for over a decade, approaches wonderment through a spiritual lens shaped by her upbringing. “The Bible has a lot to say about how you treat other people,” she shared, referencing wisdom passed down by clergy in her life. “We don’t deserve any more than any other human anywhere in the world.”

That ethos helped shape the group’s decision to rename itself the Accompaniment Ministry. Once known as the Sanctuary Ministry and later the Refugee Ministry, the new name aligns more closely with its mission.

“We realized we weren’t a sanctuary per se,” Ward explained. “And ‘refugee’ didn’t fully capture the range of people we support. The term ‘accompaniment’ comes from our theology—it’s about being with people as they journey, no matter where they are in that journey.”

That commitment to presence—simply being with someone— has proven transformative, not only for the migrants and asylum seekers the church aids but also for the volunteers. “I discovered I get as much out of the relationships as they do,” she said with a beaming grin. “It’s very, very rewarding. We learn a lot from other people.”

Students involved in the fair echoed that sense of mutual growth. One student, reflecting on a semester of engagement, noted how service changed their perspective. “There’s so much going on in the world right now,” they said. “Sometimes, the only way to deal with all the low points is to intentionally focus on the highs. Giving back helps me stay anchored.”

For many students, community service was framed as a task to tick off for a school project or club objective. However, the practice developed into something more personal. Another student recalled their early experiences with service. “I remember my first experience was working at a soup kitchen in high school,” they said. “How I return to those places over and over is something that I get is very uncertain in life.”

That kind of reflection resonates with the Accompaniment Ministry’s core philosophy. It’s not helping for the sake of fixing, but connecting to recognize shared humanity. “If more people understood how deeply personal connections with others who differ would transform the social fabric, the world would be a better place,” Ward said. “We’re missing how much common ground we share.”

She emphasized that it is particularly important in a nation like the United States, where so many are blessed just by being born. “The mere fact of being born here doesn’t mean more than anyone else having the courtesy to grant less,” she responded. “We are fortunate, and that should translate into humility and compassion.”

Ward is candid about admitting her limitations. “I wish I had learned Spanish. Or Portuguese. Or even remembered more of my French,” she laughed. “Now, showing up and listening makes me feel like I compensated for lacking that.”

The ministry, she said, isn’t about perfection. “More than seeking perfection during presence, wanting to do something is far greater than needing to accomplish every task. Feelings aside from IQ.”

Reflecting on decades of worshipping and serving in the church, she shares that “My son was twelve,” as a reference to the time period, “I wouldn’t trade it for anything... It’s a wonderful community. This church, this ministry... It’s helped me grow, too.”

The work continues for the Acker Scholars and ministry volunteers—not as a destination but as a shared journey.

As the conversation drew close, Ward chuckled and said, “I don’t know if I answered your questions.”

She did. And much more.