Time flies. Doesn’t it always? One month you’re busy shopping and preparing for the winter holidays, and then you’re making the big decision of where your firstborn is going to go to kindergarten, and then your parents are in town, and then… and then…. It never ends. But don’t get me wrong. I’m not complaining. A friend once shared his father’s wisdom with me. “When your ‘to do’ list is done, then you’re as good as dead.” Or something to that effect. But sometimes this busy-ness gets in the way of things that I’d like to do, or in the way of who I’d like to be. Enter Edmonds Unitarian Universalist Church (fondly abbreviated as EUUC).
Since joining this church a little over 2 years ago, my life has been enriched in many ways. It has helped me get that much closer to doing things that I want to do and being who I want to be. In particular, today I’m writing about helping others. A couple of recent events have occurred at the church where I was able to contribute in aiding those less fortunate than myself. And sure, I’ll admit, both events included a delicious lunch. However, what was more fulfilling than the food in my stomach, was the spark of awareness that was ignited within me.
The first event was a luncheon fundraiser where the film, The Laramie Project, was screened. The film focused on the reactions of the people of Laramie, WY and how they dealt with the brutal murder of Matthew Shephard, a gay university student who was beaten and left to die tied to a fence. The film was powerful and not easy to watch. The true events happened in October 1998, when I was 27 years old. I had no awareness at that time. I was self-absorbed in my quest for the perfect mate after breaking off a marital engagement. I remember reading about it in the news at that time and briefly thinking, “How sad,” but then went about my business.
I’m not writing to make excuses or forgive my past. I’m writing to thank EUUC for bringing these events to me at the present time and for helping increase my awareness of what’s going on in the world around me. I’m writing to thank EUUC for bringing Matthew Shephard into my heart and for helping me honor his memory. For you see, after watching that film, I went online and did a search on him. For the first time, I saw his beautiful, angelic face and I cried.
The screening was put together by EUUC’s Youth Group. A week earlier, they led a service highlighting the difficulties faced by lesbian, gay, transgender, bisexual, and questioning (LGBTQ) individuals. The money they raised went towards the Trevor Project, a leading national organization focused on crisis and suicide prevention among LGBTQ youth. In some ways, it feels so minimal to say that I’m proud of our Youth Group. But that is what I feel. I am proud of them for being so proactive. I am so grateful to be part of a community that helps nurture these aspects in them. I know that when they are 27 years old, sure, they will be navigating through some kind of romantic adventure, but they will also not turn away from a society that needs their help.
As a side note, during the month of January, all monies collected in our Sunday Offerings went to the Lambert House, a center that provides services to LGBTQ youth in Seattle and the surrounding areas. Their goal is to empower them through the development of leadership, life, and social skills.
The second event I wanted to write about is tied to the recipient of this month’s Sunday Offerings. During the month of March, all monies collected will go towards the Ombogo Girls’ Academy in Kenya. This school, in partnership with the Slum Doctor Programme, provides at-risk teenage girls with a high school education, room, and board. Located in an area of Kenya with one of the highest HIV/AIDS populations, the Ombogo Girls’ Academy provides a way for many young girls to reach their full potential in a safe, nurturing environment. Many of them are orphans and/or have lived in substandard conditions. But through the help of such a program, these young ladies are able to flourish and help educate their greater community.
In addition to the monthly offering, our church recently held a luncheon fundraiser for the academy. Those of us who attended got to enjoy delicious Kenyan food and also hear a presentation given by college student, Marisa Parshotam, a former EUUC Youth Group member who had gone to the academy to see its work first hand. My reaction to this presentation was different from the Trevor Project. Rather than finding my thoughts in the past, I found my thoughts in the present and in the future.
I attended the event with my family. During the slide show, my 5 year old daughter sat on my lap and asked me questions about the other girls on the other side of the world. I answered her innocent questions as honestly and age appropriately as I could. But at that same moment, I sat there hugging her, kissing the top of her head, and smelling her, ever so grateful that she was born here, to a comfortable life with access to high quality healthcare and where education is considered a right. My beautiful, healthy, and happy daughter who already shows so much compassion and empathy at her young age. The beautiful girls in Kenya who I know have so much potential and gifts to give.
I’m glad that by going to church, my children are also learning the gift of sharing and about being an advocate for those in need. Every Sunday my daughter and my 3 year old son go to their religious education class. In their classroom, if they choose to, they can bring money to give to the Offering. My daughter recently started receiving an allowance and has learned to divide it into three compartments: one for spending, one for saving, and one for sharing. It warms my heart whenever she remembers to bring her “sharing” money to church, especially when she does so of her own free will. It warms my heart knowing that she (and her younger brother) are developing a social conscience.
But back to me. There’s no doubt that I’m a busy person. It’s just the reality of being a married woman with 2 young children, and having a full-time job. But with the help of my wonderful community at EUUC (my wonderful sangha), I am able to do what little I can to make this world a better place for everyone. I am able to guide my children and help them learn about sharing, about compassion and empathy, about empowerment. I am glad to be more socially aware and to be actually contributing in whatever ways I am able to. I am slowly becoming that much closer to the person I strive to be.
“Gathering together
Nurturing the spirit
Living our vision of a just and sustainable world”
By taking part in social concerns events such as the Laramie Project and the luncheon for the Omobogo Girls’ Academy, I truly feel ALL the words of our mission statement.
