We will head out this afternoon to see the kids, and grands. A building weekend was planned for Chris' deck. I'm looking forward to the weekend - will have fun playing with the grands, and re connecting with my boys and Carrie. We all have very busy schedules and play phone tag more often than we talk.
The young one will be home ... alone. I hope. Meaning I hope there are no parties or whatevers going on in my absence. Aunt Michelle (Ethel) will be next door all weekend. Hopefully she won't have to intervene.
Have a great weekend ya'll...
This Catholic Mom is going to see the kids.
Friday, April 30, 2010
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
We were supposed to meet last night with the pastors from the Urban Youth Initiative, at MGLCC.
It did not happen. We did not have our visit with the pastors. They had a schedule conflict. I have put my adrenalin on hold, and will wait to visit with them in a week or two. My calendar doesn't have many holes in it, so it may be a while before we can reschedule.
The young one is doing well. His work schedule has picked up a bit. He seems to be happy and healthy and 19…
He met someone new a few days ago, and they have become inseparable. He attaches quickly, loves easily, and hurts deeply when it doesn’t work out. The kid he is interested in seems to be a nice young man. We can only hope.
There is talk of taking classes in the fall at the U of M. So far, it is just talk. I haven’t seen any forms filled out yet. We will see. His parents have offered some support for school. We will see.
I’ve bought our tickets for the Prom for All in June. MGLCC is hosting a prom as a fundraiser, and the guest of honor will be the young lady from north MS who was the center of the Itawamba fiasco. I realized that I have actually never been to an event where same gender couples felt comfortable dancing; make that guys felt comfortable dancing together. I have actually never been to a dance where girls didn’t dance together. This past fall, we went to a birthday party for a God child, and I danced with the grandmother for more than an hour. She’s 85, her husband doesn’t dance, and she wore me out!! And there was nothing thought about it, other than “look at Ninny go!” (As grands we share the ‘ninny’ moniker, given to us by our grandchildren) I know this is different. And for me it will be another first.
Our son came out after college. As a family, I think the only event we’ve been to that included dancing, would be his brother’s wedding. Chris had only been out to us 6 months. In spite of the fact that I knew before he told us, and that I was, I thought, very comfortable with his orientation, the dancing together part hadn’t occurred to me. They didn't. His boyfriend at the time was included in our family photos, introduced to some as his boyfriend, some his friend, explained to some in her family as a cousin when they wondered about the photos (not by me…but her family didn’t have the whole story, and I heard later that was how it was understood.) Funny, part of the root of their eventual breakup was that Roy was not out, in most areas of his life. Chris was introduced as a cousin, once too often. And unfortunately since Roy, he has not had anyone significant enough in his life to bring home; no one to dance with, no one to share his life with. Something I pray for regularly… God, please give Chris someone to love and cherish.
So, This Catholic Mom will have a new and wonderful experience… All God’s Children should be able to dance with the ones they love.….
It did not happen. We did not have our visit with the pastors. They had a schedule conflict. I have put my adrenalin on hold, and will wait to visit with them in a week or two. My calendar doesn't have many holes in it, so it may be a while before we can reschedule.
The young one is doing well. His work schedule has picked up a bit. He seems to be happy and healthy and 19…
He met someone new a few days ago, and they have become inseparable. He attaches quickly, loves easily, and hurts deeply when it doesn’t work out. The kid he is interested in seems to be a nice young man. We can only hope.
There is talk of taking classes in the fall at the U of M. So far, it is just talk. I haven’t seen any forms filled out yet. We will see. His parents have offered some support for school. We will see.
I’ve bought our tickets for the Prom for All in June. MGLCC is hosting a prom as a fundraiser, and the guest of honor will be the young lady from north MS who was the center of the Itawamba fiasco. I realized that I have actually never been to an event where same gender couples felt comfortable dancing; make that guys felt comfortable dancing together. I have actually never been to a dance where girls didn’t dance together. This past fall, we went to a birthday party for a God child, and I danced with the grandmother for more than an hour. She’s 85, her husband doesn’t dance, and she wore me out!! And there was nothing thought about it, other than “look at Ninny go!” (As grands we share the ‘ninny’ moniker, given to us by our grandchildren) I know this is different. And for me it will be another first.
Our son came out after college. As a family, I think the only event we’ve been to that included dancing, would be his brother’s wedding. Chris had only been out to us 6 months. In spite of the fact that I knew before he told us, and that I was, I thought, very comfortable with his orientation, the dancing together part hadn’t occurred to me. They didn't. His boyfriend at the time was included in our family photos, introduced to some as his boyfriend, some his friend, explained to some in her family as a cousin when they wondered about the photos (not by me…but her family didn’t have the whole story, and I heard later that was how it was understood.) Funny, part of the root of their eventual breakup was that Roy was not out, in most areas of his life. Chris was introduced as a cousin, once too often. And unfortunately since Roy, he has not had anyone significant enough in his life to bring home; no one to dance with, no one to share his life with. Something I pray for regularly… God, please give Chris someone to love and cherish.
So, This Catholic Mom will have a new and wonderful experience… All God’s Children should be able to dance with the ones they love.….
Friday, April 23, 2010
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Getting a moment to post has been hard the last week or so. I returned late Saturday night from the Fortunate Families Board Meeting. Refreshed, renewed, and with new assignments, I am setting up Facebook pages for FF and in the next few weeks will introduce a blogspot. I really believe that sharing our stories and common experiences in outreach is the way to remind folks in the rural areas that they are not alone. In the larger cities we struggle for justice in a more public way, but we all work one heart at a time to the betterment of the lives of our kids.
Tuesday night I joined members of the community downtown at a candlelight vigil for Duanna Johnson. A recent mistrial in the videotaped beating of Ms Johnson by a (now former) Memphis police officer was the spark for the event. One of the kids I have gotten to know in the last year or so spoke of the fear this kind of attack engenders and need for justice for all, as a transgendered woman of color. I have watched as she finds her voice, and Tuesday she spoke softly, but with a strong message. Elly has hope things can change, and a little fear that it won’t change soon enough.
We did not have a huge crowd, but got TV coverage on all the local stations, so the message was sent. MGLCC was the organizer for the vigil; Will was the MC and TEP spokesman Jonathan Cole also spoke. One of the guys in the crowd, an ally of the community told me he would have loved to be at home playing with his kid, but he knew he was needed. I love that. Sometimes it is easy to stay home, but when you accept responsibility for your brother…you come when you are needed!
Thursday this week the Ad-hoc committee of CMGLP will meet. I am not sure what goals we will end up pursuing for the long run of the ministry. I am on record for the need for more outreach. I am also on record for the need for more public ministry. I push envelopes, I’m told. I think of it as speaking truth to power, and I kind of figure that ‘power’ should be able to handle it. I probably know more gay folk than anyone in the chancery office (excluding priests of course) so it seems to me that I’m a good go-to source for pastoral information. It’s that sharing the story thing…one heart at a time.
Friday is Unity Group, my Lindenwood Christian Church faith sharing group. We are working thru the lectionary and comparing sermons to personal experience of the readings.
Sunday- We are going to try again to help our young guest reunite with his family. Steve and I are driving him the 3.5 hours to his hometown, and visiting for a few hours before returning Sunday afternoon. It is a long drive for a short visit, but he wants to reconnect. We want him to have family support, and I want to trust that they can get along on their own… But we all know when company is around…we have company manners. Maybe this will be a better way for him to start again. I’ll let you know how it goes.
Next week Will and I are going to meet with two of the folks from the Urban Youth Ministry conference, pastors of a large African American church here. Please say a prayer for me that I will find the words, you know I’m Catholic, so I’m bible challenged, and they will proof text. I want to be able to stay calm and listen, which is hard for me. My brain tends to run amok when faced with this kind of rhetoric… So prayers please for This Catholic Mom.
Tuesday night I joined members of the community downtown at a candlelight vigil for Duanna Johnson. A recent mistrial in the videotaped beating of Ms Johnson by a (now former) Memphis police officer was the spark for the event. One of the kids I have gotten to know in the last year or so spoke of the fear this kind of attack engenders and need for justice for all, as a transgendered woman of color. I have watched as she finds her voice, and Tuesday she spoke softly, but with a strong message. Elly has hope things can change, and a little fear that it won’t change soon enough.
We did not have a huge crowd, but got TV coverage on all the local stations, so the message was sent. MGLCC was the organizer for the vigil; Will was the MC and TEP spokesman Jonathan Cole also spoke. One of the guys in the crowd, an ally of the community told me he would have loved to be at home playing with his kid, but he knew he was needed. I love that. Sometimes it is easy to stay home, but when you accept responsibility for your brother…you come when you are needed!
Thursday this week the Ad-hoc committee of CMGLP will meet. I am not sure what goals we will end up pursuing for the long run of the ministry. I am on record for the need for more outreach. I am also on record for the need for more public ministry. I push envelopes, I’m told. I think of it as speaking truth to power, and I kind of figure that ‘power’ should be able to handle it. I probably know more gay folk than anyone in the chancery office (excluding priests of course) so it seems to me that I’m a good go-to source for pastoral information. It’s that sharing the story thing…one heart at a time.
Friday is Unity Group, my Lindenwood Christian Church faith sharing group. We are working thru the lectionary and comparing sermons to personal experience of the readings.
Sunday- We are going to try again to help our young guest reunite with his family. Steve and I are driving him the 3.5 hours to his hometown, and visiting for a few hours before returning Sunday afternoon. It is a long drive for a short visit, but he wants to reconnect. We want him to have family support, and I want to trust that they can get along on their own… But we all know when company is around…we have company manners. Maybe this will be a better way for him to start again. I’ll let you know how it goes.
Next week Will and I are going to meet with two of the folks from the Urban Youth Ministry conference, pastors of a large African American church here. Please say a prayer for me that I will find the words, you know I’m Catholic, so I’m bible challenged, and they will proof text. I want to be able to stay calm and listen, which is hard for me. My brain tends to run amok when faced with this kind of rhetoric… So prayers please for This Catholic Mom.
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Weekly wrap up...
The big thing on the agenda this week was our Fortunate Families Board meeting in Rochester NY. We were all there by Friday afternoon, although some of the folks worked all day Friday on putting together FF listening parents notebooks, and others worked on the computer system. I was a dog... I got up at 4:15 for my flight on Friday, and when I got into the hotel room at noon, I decided to stay under the radar, take a nap and read. It might have been the first three hours that I have had totally to myself in ??? weeks, months?? I never turned on the TV, just enjoyed the peace of the hotel room. Spa moment!
We had a very productive meeting... We are adding a facebook group, a Fortunate Families Blog, a transgender page to our website, and the big event..A Listening Parents gathering in Chicago in October. And we added a board member and elected officers for 2010. Amazing stuff going on for a board of only 9. Now 10.
I caught my flight home last night, and am enjoying Sunday at home. Will head to Mass tonight.
For a few hours on Thursday and Friday we thought we would be inviting another young man into our home this week. But the email I received on Saturday indicates he may have another option. I have to say it's a bit of a relief for me, and I'm sure it is for him. These kids want to be independent, they just need a little help getting there.
Our current kid is doing well. Intensive therapy should be ending this week. He has gone back to work, and he seems to be happy. We are still thinking that it will be the first week of June for him to get his own apartment. He will still get help from us, he can use the MGLCC food pantry if he needs it. His major complaint at the moment is that he has gotten fat. LOL... He now looks like a tall thin kid, not an emaciated one. And he smiles a lot now.
And so do I!
The big thing on the agenda this week was our Fortunate Families Board meeting in Rochester NY. We were all there by Friday afternoon, although some of the folks worked all day Friday on putting together FF listening parents notebooks, and others worked on the computer system. I was a dog... I got up at 4:15 for my flight on Friday, and when I got into the hotel room at noon, I decided to stay under the radar, take a nap and read. It might have been the first three hours that I have had totally to myself in ??? weeks, months?? I never turned on the TV, just enjoyed the peace of the hotel room. Spa moment!
We had a very productive meeting... We are adding a facebook group, a Fortunate Families Blog, a transgender page to our website, and the big event..A Listening Parents gathering in Chicago in October. And we added a board member and elected officers for 2010. Amazing stuff going on for a board of only 9. Now 10.
I caught my flight home last night, and am enjoying Sunday at home. Will head to Mass tonight.
For a few hours on Thursday and Friday we thought we would be inviting another young man into our home this week. But the email I received on Saturday indicates he may have another option. I have to say it's a bit of a relief for me, and I'm sure it is for him. These kids want to be independent, they just need a little help getting there.
Our current kid is doing well. Intensive therapy should be ending this week. He has gone back to work, and he seems to be happy. We are still thinking that it will be the first week of June for him to get his own apartment. He will still get help from us, he can use the MGLCC food pantry if he needs it. His major complaint at the moment is that he has gotten fat. LOL... He now looks like a tall thin kid, not an emaciated one. And he smiles a lot now.
And so do I!
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Friday Post, no room in the inn again?
Tuesday night we hosted our first ‘potential safe house host’ orientation program. Two couples came, both are interested, both a little nervous. It is a leap of faith to do this. I have high hopes that both will come thru…
Because they are desperately needed…
We heard from Will during the session that there were a pair of 18 year old girls who had been booted out by their families. They came out at the same time, as a couple I think. I asked if they had found a place before I left the center. Will said he told his friend a school counselor who had brought the problem to him to consider us a last resort, since we are still ‘in the process.’
Will told us by email yesterday afternoon that they have no other options, it comes down to us... as the last resort. The girls are on the street again. They were to meet with him yesterday afternoon. They had not arrived when I left the center around 6. Hopefully they have found one more option?? Will did say that he had talked to one of our new potential host families, who won't have a room ready for another 15 days, but they offered the sofa.. At least it will be a chance to be inside and safe.
In the meantime, another young man who we have worried about will need a place to stay in the next few days. He is staying with relatives who are uncomfortable with his inability to butch up. They are making his life miserable. He may have one more possibility. If not, I will bring him into our home next week. I have gotten to know him these last few months... sweet kid. Needs a lot of assistance. He has hopes and dreams for a future. Hopefully, thru the center he will find mentors to help him achieve.
MGLCC is hosting a prom this summer. The young lady from north MS who was the subject of national news, Constance McMillen is going to be the guest of honor. It will be a fund raiser for the center, and a way to remind Constance that there are folks in her corner. And... the chance to dress up and (oh, I'm gonna show my age here...) BOOGIE!
The other thing on the menu today is the Fortunate Families bod meeting today. I am writing this from my room in Rochester NY. It is one o'clock in the afternoon. I got up at 4:15 to catch my 6am flight. We don't begin meeting until after 4 today...
This Catholic Mom is going to take a nap. Have a great weekend.
Because they are desperately needed…
We heard from Will during the session that there were a pair of 18 year old girls who had been booted out by their families. They came out at the same time, as a couple I think. I asked if they had found a place before I left the center. Will said he told his friend a school counselor who had brought the problem to him to consider us a last resort, since we are still ‘in the process.’
Will told us by email yesterday afternoon that they have no other options, it comes down to us... as the last resort. The girls are on the street again. They were to meet with him yesterday afternoon. They had not arrived when I left the center around 6. Hopefully they have found one more option?? Will did say that he had talked to one of our new potential host families, who won't have a room ready for another 15 days, but they offered the sofa.. At least it will be a chance to be inside and safe.
In the meantime, another young man who we have worried about will need a place to stay in the next few days. He is staying with relatives who are uncomfortable with his inability to butch up. They are making his life miserable. He may have one more possibility. If not, I will bring him into our home next week. I have gotten to know him these last few months... sweet kid. Needs a lot of assistance. He has hopes and dreams for a future. Hopefully, thru the center he will find mentors to help him achieve.
MGLCC is hosting a prom this summer. The young lady from north MS who was the subject of national news, Constance McMillen is going to be the guest of honor. It will be a fund raiser for the center, and a way to remind Constance that there are folks in her corner. And... the chance to dress up and (oh, I'm gonna show my age here...) BOOGIE!
The other thing on the menu today is the Fortunate Families bod meeting today. I am writing this from my room in Rochester NY. It is one o'clock in the afternoon. I got up at 4:15 to catch my 6am flight. We don't begin meeting until after 4 today...
This Catholic Mom is going to take a nap. Have a great weekend.
Saturday, April 10, 2010
A few quick words to sum up the week.
It's been good. Really Good.
This kid is finishing up therapy. He is headed to work next week.
We did our St VdPaul Soup kitchen duty this morning..
The fundraiser at MGLCC went well this afternoon.
I'm headed out for the evening...
then home to bed, cuz
This Catholic Mom is getting OLD!
It's been good. Really Good.
This kid is finishing up therapy. He is headed to work next week.
We did our St VdPaul Soup kitchen duty this morning..
The fundraiser at MGLCC went well this afternoon.
I'm headed out for the evening...
then home to bed, cuz
This Catholic Mom is getting OLD!
Thursday, April 8, 2010
It makes me sick.
I am embarrassed. I am pissed. I am saddened. I am a Catholic. Did I mention I’m Pissed???
Our papers today are full of accusations of priest sex abuse in our diocese. Records have been unsealed. Dark deeds have seen the light of day. Disgusting, it is disgusting. Twelve priests are accused of molesting/raping/fondling boys, girls, and women in our diocese over the last 50 years. Innocence stolen, children abused, by people we all trusted. Sick. I forgot to add that. This makes me sick.
As we discuss this, my catholic friends share my sentiments. How could this happen? Why were no police involved? Why did anyone “move” anyone? And even in this crowd you hear the occasional ‘it’s not all of them,’ ‘it was isolated,’ ‘you can’t blame them all.’ Except you can. If one guy heard of these incidents and used ‘protecting the church’ as a defense for not calling the cops he is as guilty as the rest. Our Bishop, who I have spoken so highly of… admits to moving, writing recommendations… WHY???
The priest who married us was my friend from CYO. He was part of this. Defrocked, recently deceased. He was my buddy. He befriended a lot of us kids in CYO, particularly the boys without involved parents. I know now, what my 19 year old self did not know. As a mom, I get the creepy feeling about people, and trust my gut. I wonder who in my high school group went thru Hell because of Fr. St. Charles. I wonder who lives with the emotional garbage this must have wrought.
Our church has survived 2000 years. It will survive this. I assume (I HOPE) we will survive with an eye open to reality, and as my friend George says, without the pray-pay-obey attitude. We know to at least wonder about ‘political expediency’ when we can’t understand the hierarchy. We will always wonder what teaching is from the Holy Spirit, and what teaching simply protects power.
The only way I can move forward is with the idea that church is the person who is reaching out a hand in Christ’s name. Church is not a building or a pope or a priest. On my good days, I am church; my friends who work in outreach are church.
My buddy Lorna is happy that it has all hit the fan… she says the boil has to be lanced and exposed to the light to heal. I hope there is enough salve for this huge wound.
What has happened was awful. Those who perpetrated it should be punished. Those who enabled them to be in the position to repeat should be punished as well. This is and should be a legal matter. I would like to see it go forward in the justice system, and if it costs the church all her pennies, then that will be less she has to spend fighting civil marriage etc. But it won’t be my pennies they are giving. My money has already been diverted to safer harbors.
My trust… I’m not sure where to bank that anymore…
Our papers today are full of accusations of priest sex abuse in our diocese. Records have been unsealed. Dark deeds have seen the light of day. Disgusting, it is disgusting. Twelve priests are accused of molesting/raping/fondling boys, girls, and women in our diocese over the last 50 years. Innocence stolen, children abused, by people we all trusted. Sick. I forgot to add that. This makes me sick.
As we discuss this, my catholic friends share my sentiments. How could this happen? Why were no police involved? Why did anyone “move” anyone? And even in this crowd you hear the occasional ‘it’s not all of them,’ ‘it was isolated,’ ‘you can’t blame them all.’ Except you can. If one guy heard of these incidents and used ‘protecting the church’ as a defense for not calling the cops he is as guilty as the rest. Our Bishop, who I have spoken so highly of… admits to moving, writing recommendations… WHY???
The priest who married us was my friend from CYO. He was part of this. Defrocked, recently deceased. He was my buddy. He befriended a lot of us kids in CYO, particularly the boys without involved parents. I know now, what my 19 year old self did not know. As a mom, I get the creepy feeling about people, and trust my gut. I wonder who in my high school group went thru Hell because of Fr. St. Charles. I wonder who lives with the emotional garbage this must have wrought.
Our church has survived 2000 years. It will survive this. I assume (I HOPE) we will survive with an eye open to reality, and as my friend George says, without the pray-pay-obey attitude. We know to at least wonder about ‘political expediency’ when we can’t understand the hierarchy. We will always wonder what teaching is from the Holy Spirit, and what teaching simply protects power.
The only way I can move forward is with the idea that church is the person who is reaching out a hand in Christ’s name. Church is not a building or a pope or a priest. On my good days, I am church; my friends who work in outreach are church.
My buddy Lorna is happy that it has all hit the fan… she says the boil has to be lanced and exposed to the light to heal. I hope there is enough salve for this huge wound.
What has happened was awful. Those who perpetrated it should be punished. Those who enabled them to be in the position to repeat should be punished as well. This is and should be a legal matter. I would like to see it go forward in the justice system, and if it costs the church all her pennies, then that will be less she has to spend fighting civil marriage etc. But it won’t be my pennies they are giving. My money has already been diverted to safer harbors.
My trust… I’m not sure where to bank that anymore…
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Last night the potluck program was about ‘processing’ the Easter message, our own personal resurrection stories, and meaningful encounters with the Spirit. In a matter of a few moments my group spoke about teenage bullying, adult name calling, and the death of a young gay man; later I was asked where to get a copy of the Bible Tells Me So, because one of my buddies has been pushed by a minister in his family to leave the church, because ‘the bible says gay people shouldn’t come in a church’. His cousin and their child have actually been asked not to come back, because the child is out. Arrrggghhh!
I am so moved at the way some of the people I know are able to overcome this crap, and still have a relationship with God. Normally, when people are tormented, God is who you turn to; however the torment in some of these cases comes from people who represent themselves as people of God.
I watch as the young one in our care battles his demons, and hope they don’t overtake him. I wish for him the chance to interact with people who have dealt with this stuff and decided no one defines them. Unfortunately, they are older people…and because of age are disqualified as being un-cool (or whatever today’s term is- old school??) And, when you are 19, everything is a matter of Life and Death- Today. I want to get across to him that he has to learn to love himself, and then the crap will hurt less. I am struggling to get the message through.
And I don’t get it!!
People are as cruel today as at any time in history, and now have a cadre of electronic devices with which to torment.
2000 years since we got the message of peace and love… How do we stop the madness??
I am so moved at the way some of the people I know are able to overcome this crap, and still have a relationship with God. Normally, when people are tormented, God is who you turn to; however the torment in some of these cases comes from people who represent themselves as people of God.
I watch as the young one in our care battles his demons, and hope they don’t overtake him. I wish for him the chance to interact with people who have dealt with this stuff and decided no one defines them. Unfortunately, they are older people…and because of age are disqualified as being un-cool (or whatever today’s term is- old school??) And, when you are 19, everything is a matter of Life and Death- Today. I want to get across to him that he has to learn to love himself, and then the crap will hurt less. I am struggling to get the message through.
And I don’t get it!!
People are as cruel today as at any time in history, and now have a cadre of electronic devices with which to torment.
2000 years since we got the message of peace and love… How do we stop the madness??
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
It is a good 'tired'
Just home a while from the potluck. We had 60 or more again, and folks seemed to have a good time. I am weary, and headed to crash, with one eye open as usual. The young one went with 'friends to chill, and my phone is dying mom' so I'm not exactly sure where he is, or who he's with. He's not past curfew, so I'm going to try to 'not borrow trouble'...
The potluck folks did a pantry restock for the center. I have a trunk full of ramen and fruit cups and will drop it off at the center tomorrow on the way home. Generous folks as always.
Night ya'll and if you run into the young one tonight, send him home so I can close the other eye.
:-)
(wow, closed the computer, phone beeped, kid on the way home. Thank you guardian angel, I can close the other eye soon!!!)
The potluck folks did a pantry restock for the center. I have a trunk full of ramen and fruit cups and will drop it off at the center tomorrow on the way home. Generous folks as always.
Night ya'll and if you run into the young one tonight, send him home so I can close the other eye.
:-)
(wow, closed the computer, phone beeped, kid on the way home. Thank you guardian angel, I can close the other eye soon!!!)
Normal... it just is (?)
Normal. The kid told me yesterday nothing is normal. Music, clothing etc, nothing to him is normal. Some things are special or different (or old school,) but he classifies nothing as normal. It just is.
It is an interesting way of looking at life; and probably a lot less bigoted. Normal sets a standard. We often fall short of other people’s standards, other people’s definition of normal.
Hmmm… Just when I was wishing for normal.
Tonight is the CMGLP potluck. We have invited kids from U of M and CBU to join us, as well as Rhodes. I understand we had 8 from CBU last month (I was visiting the kid that night in the hospital, first potluck I’ve missed in a very long time) I’m looking forward to meeting them.
Work! It looks like the kid is ready to try to go back to work. He is in the last 10 days of daily therapy, and it will take that long to get back onto the store schedule. I am excited about this for him. I think once he makes it a day or two he will get some confidence back. He also needs to work if he is going to begin making his own life.
Maybe things are returning to ….
It is an interesting way of looking at life; and probably a lot less bigoted. Normal sets a standard. We often fall short of other people’s standards, other people’s definition of normal.
Hmmm… Just when I was wishing for normal.
Tonight is the CMGLP potluck. We have invited kids from U of M and CBU to join us, as well as Rhodes. I understand we had 8 from CBU last month (I was visiting the kid that night in the hospital, first potluck I’ve missed in a very long time) I’m looking forward to meeting them.
Work! It looks like the kid is ready to try to go back to work. He is in the last 10 days of daily therapy, and it will take that long to get back onto the store schedule. I am excited about this for him. I think once he makes it a day or two he will get some confidence back. He also needs to work if he is going to begin making his own life.
Maybe things are returning to ….
Friday, April 2, 2010
Memphis Flyer Article...
http://www.memphisflyer.com/memphis/down-and-out/Content?oid=2013966
I almost forgot to mention it.. Wednesday the Memphis Flyer featured an article about the MGLCC YES program. Actually it was the cover story.Bianca interviewed a lot of folks to put together a wonderful glimpse into the work of the center. I was happy to be a part of the story as well, as our kid "Tim"... who says we should have picked out a sexier name for him. (what can I say- he's 19??)
Read it on line, or pick up a copy of the paper. And thanks Bianca!
I am just home from Good Friday Service. Still can't get the image of Matthew from my mind. Made this service just a little more personal, and very sad.
Tomorrow we have practice for the vigil in the morning. The kids will be here for the zoo trip as soon as I get done with practice, then home from the zoo for lunch and dying eggs. They'll head back to the other grandma's to sleep. Son still has issues sharing the house with house guests. Ahh.
We have to be at church at 7 for the Easter Vigil (an hour early) And the service lasts... 3 hours?
Father Val hates my phrase TMC, but this is one of those weeks where we have too much church!
Practice and and early arrival...adds up. I guess this week has kind of been too much everything.
The kids will come back up on Sunday for a while, and we are hosting our buddies Mike and Bri for a casual..throw something on the grill dinner Sunday night. Quiet time with our friends... will be a great way to end the Easter weekend.
Have a great Easter.
I almost forgot to mention it.. Wednesday the Memphis Flyer featured an article about the MGLCC YES program. Actually it was the cover story.Bianca interviewed a lot of folks to put together a wonderful glimpse into the work of the center. I was happy to be a part of the story as well, as our kid "Tim"... who says we should have picked out a sexier name for him. (what can I say- he's 19??)
Read it on line, or pick up a copy of the paper. And thanks Bianca!
I am just home from Good Friday Service. Still can't get the image of Matthew from my mind. Made this service just a little more personal, and very sad.
Tomorrow we have practice for the vigil in the morning. The kids will be here for the zoo trip as soon as I get done with practice, then home from the zoo for lunch and dying eggs. They'll head back to the other grandma's to sleep. Son still has issues sharing the house with house guests. Ahh.
We have to be at church at 7 for the Easter Vigil (an hour early) And the service lasts... 3 hours?
Father Val hates my phrase TMC, but this is one of those weeks where we have too much church!
Practice and and early arrival...adds up. I guess this week has kind of been too much everything.
The kids will come back up on Sunday for a while, and we are hosting our buddies Mike and Bri for a casual..throw something on the grill dinner Sunday night. Quiet time with our friends... will be a great way to end the Easter weekend.
Have a great Easter.
On Good Friday, we remember....
Good Friday.
Today we remember that our Lord, our Model of Inclusivity was killed on a cross; for us, because of us.
Last night, I heard Judy Shepard speak at the U of M.
The image of her son, strung up on a fence post and left to die is too eerily similar.
Matthew died at the hands of foolish mean spirited, hate filled men.
It seems we can’t learn the lessons Jesus came to teach.
I am amazed that Judy can do this at all, and 12 years after the loss of her child, she can still be so committed to his memory, that she continues working to make our kids safe. She said she does it for Matt.
Judy, I know your son must be proud of you. I know I am.
Today we remember that our Lord, our Model of Inclusivity was killed on a cross; for us, because of us.
Last night, I heard Judy Shepard speak at the U of M.
The image of her son, strung up on a fence post and left to die is too eerily similar.
Matthew died at the hands of foolish mean spirited, hate filled men.
It seems we can’t learn the lessons Jesus came to teach.
I am amazed that Judy can do this at all, and 12 years after the loss of her child, she can still be so committed to his memory, that she continues working to make our kids safe. She said she does it for Matt.
Judy, I know your son must be proud of you. I know I am.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Wow, what a wonderful week.
We had the Raise your Voice Rally on Monday, the Chrism Mass on Tuesday, then the panel discussion Wednesday.
The panel discussion at U of M went well last night. There were between 50 and 70 students during the presentation. Our panel consisted of 3 ministers, a Rabbi, a Social Worker and Me.
· Fr. Tommy Sheppard of St Francis Old Catholic (not RC) Church,
· Rev Bill Neely of Neshoba Unitarian,
· Rev Elaine Blanchard, Regional Consultant for the West Central Region of the United Church of Christ
· Rabbi Micah Greenstein, Senior Rabbi of Temple Israel
· Shauna Mason, an adjunct professor at U of M and a practicing social worker/therapist.
· This Catholic Mom.
The moderator began by asking a few questions, letting us take the conversation among us as we wanted, then we handled a few questions from the audience. It was a gay friendly panel, and there were messages of hope, and acceptance and love. The questions that came from the kids in the audience were tougher than the planned questions… simply because they were personal to the person asking, and sometimes you could hear the hurt in the question. We did the best we could to share that all are loved.
The first question touched on the bible, Leviticus and Paul. The ministers on the panel handled this one, and did it well. There were of course no fundamentalists on the panel (oh, yeah, I already said gay friendly.) We moved next into the subject of cultures and acceptance. My recent foray into urban youth gave me a bit to add, after our African American panelist started the conversation. The next few questions centered on finding a church home, or reconciling with your own; then would you consider recommending a gay person to pursue a calling in the ministry. I think our last question dealt with coming out, and I began that with the idea that you must make a safety plan, and be aware of who you come out to. I really was a person for everyone to be out- wear the T shirt, before working with MGLCC and homeless lgbt kids. I still think anyone who is independent should step out of the closet. These kids need role models. But I would now counsel a youth to be aware of the possibility of rejection, and make every attempt to have a safety plan in place before stepping out. So sad that you have to be sure you have another place to sleep before you can tell your mother that you have found someone to love.
We ended the night with the reminder to the kids that they could pick up ‘potluck invitations’ and Fortunate Family cards at the stage. I was glad to be able to offer both, and explain both ministries. Tonight Judy Shepard, Matthew Shepard’s mom will speak at the U of M. I plan to be there to hear her as well.
We had the Raise your Voice Rally on Monday, the Chrism Mass on Tuesday, then the panel discussion Wednesday.
The panel discussion at U of M went well last night. There were between 50 and 70 students during the presentation. Our panel consisted of 3 ministers, a Rabbi, a Social Worker and Me.
· Fr. Tommy Sheppard of St Francis Old Catholic (not RC) Church,
· Rev Bill Neely of Neshoba Unitarian,
· Rev Elaine Blanchard, Regional Consultant for the West Central Region of the United Church of Christ
· Rabbi Micah Greenstein, Senior Rabbi of Temple Israel
· Shauna Mason, an adjunct professor at U of M and a practicing social worker/therapist.
· This Catholic Mom.
The moderator began by asking a few questions, letting us take the conversation among us as we wanted, then we handled a few questions from the audience. It was a gay friendly panel, and there were messages of hope, and acceptance and love. The questions that came from the kids in the audience were tougher than the planned questions… simply because they were personal to the person asking, and sometimes you could hear the hurt in the question. We did the best we could to share that all are loved.
The first question touched on the bible, Leviticus and Paul. The ministers on the panel handled this one, and did it well. There were of course no fundamentalists on the panel (oh, yeah, I already said gay friendly.) We moved next into the subject of cultures and acceptance. My recent foray into urban youth gave me a bit to add, after our African American panelist started the conversation. The next few questions centered on finding a church home, or reconciling with your own; then would you consider recommending a gay person to pursue a calling in the ministry. I think our last question dealt with coming out, and I began that with the idea that you must make a safety plan, and be aware of who you come out to. I really was a person for everyone to be out- wear the T shirt, before working with MGLCC and homeless lgbt kids. I still think anyone who is independent should step out of the closet. These kids need role models. But I would now counsel a youth to be aware of the possibility of rejection, and make every attempt to have a safety plan in place before stepping out. So sad that you have to be sure you have another place to sleep before you can tell your mother that you have found someone to love.
We ended the night with the reminder to the kids that they could pick up ‘potluck invitations’ and Fortunate Family cards at the stage. I was glad to be able to offer both, and explain both ministries. Tonight Judy Shepard, Matthew Shepard’s mom will speak at the U of M. I plan to be there to hear her as well.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)