May 12, 2002

Growing up in Birmingham, England, during the War, I remember my Mother making my reality fun, as she carried me to the air raid shelter.

My father was an ardent trade unionist and one of my brothers led the biggest industrial action in Birmingham's history. Another, here in Georgetown, Ontario, runs his own tool and die business. For the children of my nieces and nephews, I've written stories and a family song.

I left school at age 15 1/2 to contribute to the family income until I was old enough to train as a nurse. I credited God with calling me to be a nurse. A school friend had led me into evangelical Christianity, of the Billy Graham Crusade type. I wonder how I as a 14-year old, could have been converted on the text "Woe is me for I have played the fool." When 1 quit nursing, it was a spiritual turning point to say "God-if-there-is-one has given me a brain and, from now on, I'm to use it to make my own decisions."

Raised in a secular society, I assumed religion was something everybody grew out of. I first came through these doors in the 1960's, to audition for a play. In the '80s I came again, to LIBLIB a singles group, and took on the role of a discussion-group leader. That took me to Unicamp. Getting in touch with people there, brought me to a Sunday service.

The music and ritual resonate with me, as symbols -- of sharing hope, love, courage. At first, it was especially important to me that in a Creedless faith, 1 don't have to pretend to believe the Christian dogma, or, adopt another religious creed in its place. What has kept me coming is the breadth of ideas explored. And seeing this community in action.

What is the cutting edge for me? A crucial shift in focus. I'm beginning to ask not whether I belong, but where.

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