List

My life is a series of lists it seems! Who else has that little Gilbert and Sullivan tune playing in their head "I've got a little list, yes I've got a little list!" ?

I ended my visit with Lynn yesterday (of Jesus Rocks fame) totally cheered up just from the visit, and with a two-page list of things to work on. Lynn's little group live around her in downtown Hamilton. They're friends of hers. She met most of them at a Peer-to-Peer group where, as the name suggests, the neighbours organize to help each other. "They are the most generous people in the world" Lynn tells me.

One of the members, arriving early for their gathering, took the initiative to telephone everyone on the phone list to remind them it was almost time for church and to check if they were still coming!

Half of the folks in the group have a hard time with reading--mostly because of poverty and poor parenting in an earlier generation. But the other half do read and could use some help learning how to teach reading. So that's on my list--I know someone who can help.

They need help with managing the money they do have, learning to shop, to eat well, to stay healthy. That goes on my list--I know someone who can help.

They'd really love it if they had someone who could help them with their music. They like to sing more, but they don't have anyone who plays an instrument. Their choices of cd's are limited, but they enjoy what they do have and only wish for a little live music, once in awhile. They meet Sunday afternoons. Can I put you on a list of someone who might help them out?

They want to establish a connection to the rest of the church. They often feel as if they're all alone here in the middle of this big Canadian city. But they already had a "human trafficking project" going--before it was on the World Conference agenda. They're aware of this problem first hand and had started sending letters and making connections when they saw it on the conference list (Resolution 1295 here). I wrote a couple of things on my list: suggest they facebook friend Art Smith for his South American video & photo connections, and send a note to Rod Downing, chair of Canada's Peace & Justice committee. Here's a Canadian congregation already involved in trying to solve the human trafficking question!

Do you see what I mean? My life is a story told in lists. People who can help, people who know someone or something that might work, friends to be connected, solutions for specific challenges.

If you think you might fit on one of my lists, if you're a person who might help, who knows something or someone or who just wants to feel more connected, let me know. I'll put you on my list!

Posted by Marion