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Service Learning Reflection
Community service is described as the free and voluntary work done by an individual or group of persons aimed at improving the community in which the voluntary services are offered. Community service exists in different forms including cleaning, visiting, and helping the needy. Volunteering inherently serves a legitimate purpose to the community as it is done out of the kindness of the heart and its intention is to improve the community. Civic responsibility is the responsibility of the citizens, which consists of actions related to social participation and democratic governance (Hoffman et al 29). Actions in civic responsibility are carried out in advocating worthy causes, which issues on environment, life, economic, and politics among others (Gottlieb and Robinson 38). Civil responsibility is helpful to the community as it ensures that citizens uphold democratic values by becoming active participants in promoting the welfare of their community and the government.
The church functions as a national and local organization through its role in instilling moral values and spirituality to the citizens. As an organization, it is the role of church to ensure that the evils in the society are reduced through preaching the “word of God,” and encouraging citizens to engage in right and helpful actions. The community service that I undertook was to clean and perform general maintenance of the flowers in the compound of a Catholic Church in Nebraska. Although this church has become very old now, it remains close to my heart as most of my extended family members have had their funerals held there. I have also had the opportunity to frequent this church during the vacations when am visiting my grandparents. My community service included eight-hour carrying out cleaning services of the church together with the church’s employees.
The cleaning activities included sweeping the compound and collecting refuse on the ground. I concentrated on sweeping and collecting refuse on the garden and tree shades as they have been neglected for a long time. The flowers and fences were also not in appealing shape. I love neat flowers and I always take care of plant and flowers in my parents’ compound. I therefore took this opportunity to trim neatly the flowers into various interesting shapes. Although the community service was directed to the church, I felt as if I had done something very important for the community that frequents the church as their ideal worship place. As a Catholic, I felt as if I was fulfilling the mission of the St. Bridget church, that of providing to those who desire a place to worship.
Psychological concepts show that volunteering produces a winning situation for the individual as well as the society. On the social issues, it helps the volunteers and the community in general, and it appreciates that they must play active roles in giving back to the community. Volunteering helps one in shaping and directing his perspectives, goals, and values in life, and aids toward creating responsible citizens. In aIDition, the altruistic nature of volunteering has been cited to have health promoting effects (Hoffman 67). This is in terms of cognitive, social, and physical pathways. Cultural differences could also be resolved when different groups engage in activities that promote the common good of all in the society. In the community service I undertook, I believe that I set a good example to the youth and others toward volunteering in activities that will benefit the community. In attaining a better society, it is important that people learn to give more than receive (Gottlieb and Robinson 113). The volunteer work served to increase my morale and pride as I believe I had used my time well and in a beneficial manner.
My service assisted the church by reducing the distractions of unsightly flowers and trash, making the compound more attractive and welcoming. The Catholic Church strives to encourage their followers in achieving a spiritually fulfilling lifestyle. Therefore, it makes sense to match the compound with a clean and attractive lifestyle. In my viewpoint, those who visited the church after my community service would enjoy neater flowers and fences, and generally a cleaner compound. This would serve as a motivator for them to do something for the church and the community.
In conclusion, the society would be better and more enjoyable if every person did a small share of community service. This is because it would benefit those who live in the community, and help achieve better relationships if most of the people are involved. In aIDition, community service helps the citizens understand the needs of their community and offer ideas on how to solve them. The government and all stakeholders, including the church should join hands in encouraging the citizens to be socially responsible through volunteering; it remains one of the best avenues for those who would wish to make a difference in the society.

Works Cited
Gottlieb, Karla and Robinson, Gail. A Practical guide for integrating civic responsibility into the curriculum. Washington, D.C: Community College Press, 2006. Print.
Hoffman, August John et al Unity through community service activities: Strategies to bridge ethnic and cultural divides. Jefferson, N.C: McFarland, 2009. Print.