Women's History Month Spotlight
Rachael Mason, MSW - Triune Mercy Center

Rachael has been a social worker at Triune Mercy Center since May 3, 2021. Before coming to serve at TMC, she was a therapist at Converse College. She lives in San Souci with her husband Trey, her daughter Claire, and her two dogs and one cat. Rachael was recently interviewed by our Associate Pastor, Trevor Barton.

 

Trevor: Why did you want to come to work at TMC?

Rachael: Before I began working at TMC, I drove by the building every day. I saw people sitting on the brick wall alongside Stone Avenue. When I was in school, I did an internship in a place that seemed similar to TMC. I was curious about what was going on inside the building. My heart is drawn to work with marginalized people, so my heart was drawn to the people sitting on that brick wall. I began to check Triune’s website every day, looking to see if there were any job postings. One day, there was a job opening for a social worker. That made my heart smile! When I walked through the doors of TMC on my first day on the job, it was like a homecoming for me.

Trevor: What is one of your favorite stories from your work at TMC?

Rachael: I’m thinking about the first parishioner I helped find housing. I met him on the sidewalk beside TMC. He was practicing karate moves as the cars and trucks roared by him. He was unhoused and without meds. He was having a tough time. I began working with him. As I walked alongside him and helped him work on his goals, I noticed something very special about him. He would fiercely cling to himself, even when his world was falling apart. He had grit, and he is still housed today.

(Note: While Rachael was sharing this story, a person who lives in the same housing complex as this parishioner came by to say hello to the TMC staff. “He told me to tell you hello and that he misses you!” she exclaimed. That is what we at TMC call a ‘God moment.’)

Trevor: You just announced to the TMC staff that you feel you have a new calling from God for your life. What is that calling?

Rachael: I’m preparing to become a pastor in the San Souci community. I’m going to plant a church in our neighborhood, a bilingual church that reaches out to all of the people around me. It’s a new way for me to connect with and care for my neighbors, especially those who are considered ‘other’ by the rest of the community. Since I said yes to this call, I’ve noticed that God is right here beside me, weaving a tapestry that shows the human faces of all the people God cares for. It’s a beautiful thing.

Trevor: Rachael, thank you for your service to the parishioners at TMC. We’re sad that you’re leaving us, but happy that you’re going to be close by, serving God and people as a pastor. I’m thankful you and I are going to colleagues!

Rachael: What an honor and joy it has been to serve and walk alongside each of you at Triune, my friends. I will treasure every face and name and story. Please know that this is not “goodbye”, but only “see you later.” Together, let’s keep our eyes not on what is seen, for this is only temporary, but rather, let’s fix our eyes on what is unseen, for this is eternal. Much love and peace to each of you my brothers and sisters.

Here is a poem Rachael wrote about one of our parishioners. He was housed soon after it was written

I saw you. On the ground, crumpled up like a pile of rags.
A pile that others may not notice. Or value. Or care for.
A pile that could easily be thrown away.
A pile that breathes. Has crisp blue eyes and a jubilent Southern accent that makes my heart sing.
There was Another like you. Discarded. Beaten. Thrown away. And in the same way He rose from the dust.
You will rise.

Psalm 113
God takes the weak out of the dust and lifts up the poor from the ashes.
God sets them with princes, the princes of God’s people.

- Rachael Mason, Triune Mercy Center, 2024