When I came to First, I thought
about every word in the service. Those in the offertory - to build
the common good and make our own days glad– are particularly
meaningful to me and I am glad to be part of a community which
places service high in its values.I have learned that I make my
own days glad, am most alive and energized, when I’m contributing to
others, usually in the company of those sharing common goals.
Seeking a cause to commit to is challenging. I want to participate
in a game big enough to take me out of my own head, to make me sing
and sweat at the same time.
Nine years ago, I became engaged in the work of Planned
Parenthood, providing birth control counseling in Toronto, serving
as treasurer on the Canadian board, and fund-raising for
International projects. It’s a worldwide volunteer organization, a
community of people who connect to make a difference. In two weeks,
having served the maximum term, I will attend my final board meeting
and AGM. I cherish those accomplishments, experiences and
relationships; they have given my life much meaning.
First also provides community and opportunity to be of service.
Here, I am committed to work with the convenors bringing service to
life.
On September 21st, Nancy Krygsman leant me her
steel-toed work boots and I went with Mark Morrison-Reed and Winnie
Larsen to the Faith Leaders’ Build for Habitat for Humanity.
Inspired people from many faiths donned hardhats to build homes for
families of the working poor. Peter, a work-crew-mate, told me that
his congregation of fewer than 200 members had raised over $12,000
for Habitat in 4 months. My crew leader, Laura, volunteers two days
a week, sharing skills she developed renovating her home.
Habitat volunteers are requested to obtain pledges. Raising money
is not my favorite thing to do, but I know that land and building
materials cannot be bought with time. Inspired by the convenors’
initial generous support, I discovered that generosity begets
generosity and easily surpassed my goal. People wanting to support
Habitat’s work have given over $2200 in response to my requests and
I am still asking.
Something has shifted for me through this experience – something
I’d not anticipated… Habitat could be my next Planned Parenthood…
For me, it’s about more than the one family who will work on and
ultimately make their home in the townhouse where I worked. I’m
inspired by the prospect of a community of 40 diverse families
sharing achievement through Habitat’s path to home ownership and
contributing to the neighbourhoods that keep Toronto so vital.
I imagine myself as part of a wave of people around the world
engaged in a successful sustainable process to build community. A
community where parents can give their children fresh air, sunlight,
and a neighbourhood, rather than a corner in a dark basement - kids
now able to say "Do you want to come over to my house?"
I want families to discover that they are trusted as being good
for their word, as willing to work and commit 25 years to
accomplishing a goal; to reach a dream, and to replicate this
success in other areas of their lives.
Yes, building community this way is a game big enough to keep me
singing and sweating, energized and alive - to make my own days
glad.
