Time to Participate


We have two very timely events coming up this weekend.  On Saturday at 8 am there will be a “Walk Against Domestic Violence” starting and ending at the Wetherill Historic Site at 269 Georges Road in Dayton.  I plan on attending and if anyone would like to meet me at the church at 7:30 am to car pool over, please let me know. 
Domestic Violence is pervasive, yet until it becomes headline news when NFL players and other celebrities are charged with the crime, it can go unnoticed or unaddressed.  As Christians we have the responsibility of “loving our neighbor as ourselves.” As Episcopalians, we also adhere to the Baptismal Covenant, which flows from that great Commandment to state “we will seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving our neighbors as ourselves.” We have the obligation and duty to stand up for those too intimidated or cowered by their circumstance to confront their abusers.  No one, unless they are standing in a boxing ring, should be physically assaulted in any way, especially not by someone with whom she or he is in a romantic relationship.
Unfortunately we live in a culture that idolizes brute force and dominance over nurturing and support.  In some ways, the expectation we have of football players on the field and what they do off the field are diametrically opposed.  While I won’t argue whether or not that is right, it does not in any way justify cruel behavior toward another person, especially toward one who is (usually) smaller and weaker.
By offering our physical support to such a cause, we are drawing the public’s attention to such realities and making a safer space for those who are victims to speak out against their abusers, to seek sanctuary and support and hopefully end the cycle of violence.  We are also sending the message to organizations like the NFL that their tolerance of such behavior is simple wrong.  Setting proper expectations of behavior toward other people starts when children play any organized sport, both on and off the field. Aggression needs to be tempered with sportsmanship. 
And yet we also aware of the terrible situation happening in Sayreville, with 7 football players arrested for participating in hazing rituals that may have included sexual molestation. I was shocked to hear about this, especially it being so close to home.  I naively thought with all the work that has been done to address bullying in the school system that it was actually working.  Even though Sayreville has a 17-page anti-bullying policy, it did not make their players stop to question their actions, nor did the adults create a culture where such behavior would have been anathema.
We are also aware of the Ebola virus and the uncertainty of what might happen next.  All of these circumstances make it very apropos that we are having a Healing Service during our Sunday Services on October 19th. St. Luke’s the Physician’s feast day is October 18th, so it is an opportune time to remember that one of the main components of Jesus’ ministry is full-body wellness – physically, spiritually, mentally, relationally.  You will have the opportunity to have hands laid on you to pray for yourself, a loved one or even society as we confront the reality that we need God’s redeeming love just as much now as ever.  We need to be reminded both that we are worthy of God’s love and our duty to “respect the dignity of EVERY human being” (also from the Baptismal Covenant).  
I hope you will join us for both of these events as we show boldly our faith in Christ to the world while seeking to deeper our relationship with God and our neighbor.
In Christ,
Rev. Valerie+

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