Kids and Activism

It is important for me as a parent to involve my children in activism that embodies our Unitarian Universalist values. Both my boys have been thrilled to participate in marches, protests, and supply drives. They like to make their own signs and of course being outside singing and chanting is fun for small children. Yet, I want them to move into the deeper reasons we act from our hearts. It goes beyond a cause and into the basic human relationship that is between each human being. I want them to grasp this feeling of a shared humanity and the shared experience of this finite existence. Kiernan said to me this morning, "I'm really sorry that people are cold in Atlanta. I wish the homeless didn't have to be cold." He is glad to do something concrete for what sometimes seems to be an insurmountable problem of poverty and homeless. This is basic compassion, but I'm so glad that it crosses his mind to think of others.

Kiernan is continuing to work on a community service badge for Sprial Scouts in collecting items for the homeless.

Atlanta Homeless suffer from poor foot care due to lack of socks and proper shoes. We'd like to collect clean socks of all sizes to donate to Crossroads Community Ministries where I was a Chaplain last summer. When you stand or walk in the heat, it is important to have clean dry socks.

We are collecting clean socks, shoes, and backpacks this week. It is my Spring Break, so I have flexibility for pick up. Pass the word!

Your Presence is Near - Julianne Lepp

Your Presence Is Near

We have not forgotten
In nature we seek you
In the whisper of wind
In the new green wood

Your presence is near

We have not lost hope
In the dust of the desert
In the rush of the wave
In the rise of the mountain

Your presence is near

We remember the cycle
In the promise of blossoms
In the dying leaves
In the bare branches

Your presence is near

Snow in the South

My children got to throw snowballs at one another for the first time. The neighbors made a snowman, and our other neighbor really wanted to give us a carrot for a snowman. Kiernan thought it made a nice digging implement for the snow, but was not interested in the effort to shape snow.

Maybe I'll make a snow lady tommorow - give her a great hat and maybe a baby carrot nose. Let's hope that the snow and ice make it off the roads, because Atlantans truly panic at the sight of white on pavement.