Recently long-time Samaritan Center employee, Janice Peeks, announced her retirement. Her final day at work was April 18. Her husband and she will be relocating to the Gatlinburg to enjoy retirement living. In honor of her service at the Samaritan Center, we’d like to share this feature that we recently published in our 2018 Annual report.
A two-toned 1984 Ford LTD sedan, a low-lit single-pew chapel, 40,000 square feet of thrift store floor: sacred places where Samaritan Center staff member, Janice Peeks, gains inspiration, places where she finds mooring in her spiritual life.
Janice is in her fourth stint of duty at the Samaritan Center. Since she began in 2012, Janice has resigned her position at the Samaritan Center four times. Each time though, she has come back, because she sees working at the Samaritan Center as more than a just a way to pay the bills.
“I have taken positions at different places several times, but I keep coming back here because it’s a calling to me,” Janice says.
Janice’s workday begins during her 10-minute commute from her home in Ooltewah. Eyes-wide open, Janice prepares her heart spiritually for the day ahead.
“I thank God for the gift of my day and for being my Savior and Lord,” Janice says. “I then pray for kindness, love, and understanding, and that my words will be gentle.”
It’s not only through her words that Janice touches others. Arriving at work, Janice often greets her fellow co-workers with what her supervisor, Debbie Wright, describes as “a gentle hug.”
Those hugs often lead to meaningful conversations, where Janice is able to serve as a sounding board and encouragement to her co-workers.
Her ability to connect with others extends to the Center’s shoppers as well.
“Her every breath is spent looking for opportunities to be the hands and feet of Jesus,” says Wright. “She looks for ways to encourage and lift up those who are hurting or in need.”
To Janice, the shoppers of the Samaritan Center are more than just patrons.
“As I’ve gotten to know the customers, I’ve gained friends,” says Janice. “Now I can hug them, and I’ve even been asked to say a prayer for them.”
Those invitations to prayer open up a door to one of the most sacred places in the Samaritan Center. As Christian writer Ellen White says, “Prayer is the opening of the heart to God as to a friend.”
Often those prayers take place in the Center’s Hulsey Chapel, an oasis of sorts, with low lights and a single wood pew. There, staff, volunteers, clients, and shoppers, have the opportunity to come near to the Lord in prayer and contemplation.
Janice is not the only person praying. According to Wright, not long ago, a customer was seen praying with another customer who we learned had cancer. Other staff and volunteers routinely pray with others in our chapel as well.
Because of the generosity of people like you, in 2018, doors to sacred places were swung open and wide to those in need of comfort, cheer, and hope. Thank you for giving this powerful gift.