|
Rachelle Lee Smith and I met via Twitter. Hard to imagine feeling so tuned to someone you got to know 140 characters at a time. Which is stretching the truth somewhat because it was early on that we began connecting via email. Rachelle's powerful work became the focal point for a service I was creating for West Hill United. Two years before, West Hill had become a member of Affirm United/S'Affirmer Ensemble, the group within The United Church of Canada that promotes rights for the LGBTQ community, particularly members of the Order of Ministry within the UCC. That first year we had George Smitherman as our guest speaker. Invited prior to his bid for the city's mayoral seat, George brought with him his lengthy and very public witness to the leadership LBGTQ members in our community can offer. The following year we were joined by Kathleen Wynne. Then Minister of Transportation it was in her previous role as Minister of Education that she became front page news as the brains and grace behind an amazing public school curriculum unfortunately defeated by conservative evangelicals in relation to just this issue. This year, we welcomed Francisco Alvarez, Co-chair of Pride Week and the champion of the successful bid for the 2014 World Pride Week festival here in Toronto.
Back to Rachelle. Teaching at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, Rachelle explores life with her camera and, in a multimedia essay, helped a group of LGBTQ youth to explore themselves in relation to the world. I won't try to give you the idea but will send you to it so that you can experience Rachelle's sensitivity, power, energy, truth, clarity, wisdom, and insight. Prepare to be moved.
Speaking OUT: Queer Youth in Focus
|
|
|
Our senses open us to the world around us
and we are amazed
as we meet the wonders it provides.
Brilliant blues, clashing greens,
vibrant reds and yellows chased by our eyes.
Softest breezes brush our skin.
Dampness lingers beyond the recent rain.
Birdsong, breathing, thunderclash—
each signal life as it surrounds us.
...
And yet, beyond what we can see and taste and touch,
life unfolds in myriad ways
and should we sense them all,
we would be silenced by its passing.
Memories, too deeply felt to be reclaimed,
act upon our choices
and we are left to wonder
over results we do not understand.
An idea, fresh-born,
like scent at risk of stronger currents,
circles behind another’s eyes.
More urgent thoughts, mundane, immediate,
press it beyond reach
and we may never know its nascent promise.
How do we know this life?
By what strength do we respond
and choose to live another day in its celebration?
Yet to this mystery we feel the call; together not alone.
Might we find in warm companionship
sustenance, strength and wisdom for the way.
Amen
from Another Breath: Prayers for Celebration and Reflection
(c) 2009 gretta vosper |
|
Last Updated ( Wednesday, 14 December 2011 )
|
|
|
It is through the simple things of life
that we are nourished.
In silence and celebration,
our spirits are nourished.
In contemplation and conversation,
our minds are nourished.
In relationship and solitude,
our hearts are nourished.
May we find in the simplicity of ritual
nourishment for the unfolding days
and may we sense connection
through the gifts we share.
As light into light we pray,
Amen
from Another Breath: Prayers for Celebration and Reflection
(c) 2009 gretta vosper |
|
|
|
<< Start < Prev 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Next > End >>
|
| Results 1 - 4 of 39 |
