I was talking with a friend and we were discussing a prayer that was said at a school function. I am keenly aware of those who want to strongly voice their faith in schools and other settings as a political act. I feel sorry for them. They are always getting worked up by those who speak on a regular basis on the talk radio airwaves-those defenders of the faith. These defenders always want to put the world into two warring camps.
On one side is a group of people who wants to make a cause of saying Merry Christmas to rally around the bible and fight what they see as an evil that is spreading among business and individuals- the dreaded saying "Happy Holidays". On the other side is a business community and a group that recognizes that there are more and more people each year who are not Christians. The Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, and many other people of faith who live and work in our community every day. I read on my Google home page the hype about the war over Christmas and the people who actually keep a tally of what businesses and individuals are using the phrase happy holidays instead of Christmas.
The other day as I greeted a Jewish friend of mine I said Happy Hanukkah to him and he responded Merry Christmas to me. It seems to me that most people of faith would greet each other in a respectful manner. I am not Jewish and he was not Christian. Yet we both smiled and wished each other happiness and joy of the season. I would appreciate non-Christians greeting me with a wish for a happy Hanukkah or Passover, a greeting during the month of Ramadan would also be welcome. I believe there is a cancer that is growing among certain parts of the faith community. This cancer is the certainty that they alone have the truth and must proclaim it in a way that tries to assert their truth above all other truths. That we should all live under one state sponsored religion. There are several books written about the people who came to our shores and founded this country on the right to practice their faith in their own way. The freedom of religion. Of course if you read just a little later in our countries history you see that they too were just as intolerant of others faith and beliefs as the the countries that they fled from. Several colonies tried to establish a "state religion". It was only a few individuals who saw that a true democracy allowed everyone to pray to their creators in a way that suited them. That also gave the freedom for some not to pray at all.
So this Christmas I will celebrate the birth of a Jewish child. A child that grew up in a faith tradition that revered Abraham as the founder. An Abraham that founded Judaism, Islam, and Christianity. A Jewish child that stood up against those in his own faith who said that you must follow strict rules of obedience as set forth by the high priests and ministers of the faith. This holiday season I celebrate the birth of a light in the world that fought against bigotry, intolerance, and injustice, and not just against those in the ruling empire whose will was carried out by armed soldiers or tax collectors, but also against those of his own faith who would tear down others for daring to believe that they too could have a personal faith.
So I say Merry Christmas and to my friends of other faiths I hope that you will express their joyous expressions of your individual faiths right back to me. I've been listening to the musical "Rent" lately and the song 525,600 minutes runs through my mind as I think back over the moments that measure this past year. In most of those minutes this past year I hope that I have tried to listen instead of talk, tried to encourage instead of reject, and tried to love even when it was much easier to be angry or even hate. How do you measure the the moments of a life?
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Sunday, December 6, 2009
making a two cent donation
It's been a wild and crazy month for me since I last posted. Everything has been focused on work so I've been feeling a little overwhelmed. I had an experience a week ago that has been on my mind since it happened. I was presented with a situation in that I was ushering for my church a week ago. As part of the ushers duty you walk up to the front of the church with a collection plate and then walk slowly to the back as people put their contributions in the plate. The aisle that I was on had a small number of people in it. As I walked from the front to the back not a single person put anything in the plate. I reached the back and the plate was empty. I thought about it for a second and realized I could not turn that plate in with nothing. I got out my wallet and looked inside. I realized all I had was 3 one dollar bills. I took those bills and put them in the plate.
Now I'm fairly certain that the people who did not put something in the offering plate that day probably write a check and contribute like I do on a monthly or quarterly basis. But I don't know that for sure. Now the thing that made me stop and think was wondering what it looked like to someone who came to Grace Church for the first time. Sitting there noticing that most of the people they see don't put something in the offering plate. What does it look like to my own child who generally doesn't see me put anything in that plate. Does she know that I contribute on a regular basis to help support something I care about. When I was a kid my parents always gave me something to put in the collection plate. It was a way of teaching me that it is important to give, and to be thankful for what I've been given. It wasn't until later I learned that they also sent a monthly check to support the church.
When I'm out shopping with my daughter at Christmas, I always give her money to put in the salvation army kettle. Even if I've already given that day, I'll try to always put something in almost every kettle I pass. Even if its just a little bit of pocket change. Why do I do that? As I thought about it, I discovered it is important to me that the people who volunteer their time, especially kids who volunteer their time to go ring those bells understand that I appreciate their efforts to make our community a better place. We have a shared responsibility. I also recognize that I can't give to everyone who asks me. I wish I could be my family has limited resources. Making a donation to feed the hungry, give shelter to the homeless, and clothe the needy is something that we are called by our faith and as citizens to do. I support education and the arts as well because I think it is just as important to give knowledge to the mind and give nourishment to a person's soul through music, theatre, and dance.
As I reflected back on that empty offering plate I knew that I couldn't let it go up empty even though I had already given that month. It is important for people to "see" people giving. Working for a non-profit we always recognize our donors with a thank you and by posting their names in our program. But what about places like churches and salvation army kettles where your name isn't posted. Last weekend it became important to me not how much you give but that people can see that you give. You are making a statement of what is important to you.
So I've made my new years resolution early. When the collection plate or the salvation army kettle appears, even if I've already written a check and got my tax deductible donation recorded, I will put in something every time I can. It may be just a few pennies or a single dollar, but it will be something. I want to teach my daughter to extend her hand in a way that sets an example and encourages others to give no matter what the amount. Besides if everyone gave even just a little bit here and a little bit there it adds up. So that's my 2 cents to contribute.
Now I'm fairly certain that the people who did not put something in the offering plate that day probably write a check and contribute like I do on a monthly or quarterly basis. But I don't know that for sure. Now the thing that made me stop and think was wondering what it looked like to someone who came to Grace Church for the first time. Sitting there noticing that most of the people they see don't put something in the offering plate. What does it look like to my own child who generally doesn't see me put anything in that plate. Does she know that I contribute on a regular basis to help support something I care about. When I was a kid my parents always gave me something to put in the collection plate. It was a way of teaching me that it is important to give, and to be thankful for what I've been given. It wasn't until later I learned that they also sent a monthly check to support the church.
When I'm out shopping with my daughter at Christmas, I always give her money to put in the salvation army kettle. Even if I've already given that day, I'll try to always put something in almost every kettle I pass. Even if its just a little bit of pocket change. Why do I do that? As I thought about it, I discovered it is important to me that the people who volunteer their time, especially kids who volunteer their time to go ring those bells understand that I appreciate their efforts to make our community a better place. We have a shared responsibility. I also recognize that I can't give to everyone who asks me. I wish I could be my family has limited resources. Making a donation to feed the hungry, give shelter to the homeless, and clothe the needy is something that we are called by our faith and as citizens to do. I support education and the arts as well because I think it is just as important to give knowledge to the mind and give nourishment to a person's soul through music, theatre, and dance.
As I reflected back on that empty offering plate I knew that I couldn't let it go up empty even though I had already given that month. It is important for people to "see" people giving. Working for a non-profit we always recognize our donors with a thank you and by posting their names in our program. But what about places like churches and salvation army kettles where your name isn't posted. Last weekend it became important to me not how much you give but that people can see that you give. You are making a statement of what is important to you.
So I've made my new years resolution early. When the collection plate or the salvation army kettle appears, even if I've already written a check and got my tax deductible donation recorded, I will put in something every time I can. It may be just a few pennies or a single dollar, but it will be something. I want to teach my daughter to extend her hand in a way that sets an example and encourages others to give no matter what the amount. Besides if everyone gave even just a little bit here and a little bit there it adds up. So that's my 2 cents to contribute.
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