It Matters What We Believe- Furthering Love, Compassion and Justice

For Channing people who were unable to attend today's service, I wanted to share this appreciation with you:

This year, over 45 adults came forward to make a difference in the lives of our children and youth here at Channing by volunteering in the religious education program. We have asked these adults to engage the body, spirit, imagination, sense of curiosity and mind of our congregation's children and youth. As we say goodbye to another church year we say thank you to the many teachers and volunteers who have helped our children feel safe, welcomed and truly valued as part of the Channing Memorial Church community.

They have been a part of the nourishment of our children's spiritual growth and fed the life-long process of faith development. Our teachers are now a loving part of our children's memories in years to come.

Religious Educator Sophia Lyon Fahs, said in one of her books, that it not only matters what we believe, but how we gain our beliefs. This is her poem, "It Matters What We Believe:"

Some beliefs are like walled gardens. They encourage exclusiveness, and the feeling of being especially privileged.

Other beliefs are expansive and lead the way into wider and deeper sympathies.

Some beliefs are divisive, separating the saved from the unsaved, friends from enemies.

Other beliefs are bonds in a world community, where sincere differences beautify the pattern.

Some beliefs are rigid, like the body of death, impotent in a changing world.

Other beliefs are pliable, like the young sapling, ever growing with the upward thrust of life.

She continues:

"Beliefs are important in our lives. The kinds of beliefs we have influence how we behave. Knowing what is true is important. But having true beliefs is not the most important thing in our lives, and having true beliefs about God is not the most important thing in religion. The most important thing in religion is being committed to furthering goodness. Promoting goodness includes finding out what is true and helping others to acquire such knowledge, but it also includes furthering love and compassion and justice."

Our Religious Education Volunteers embody love, compassion and goodness. On behalf of myself and the congregation I want to thank you ALL!

Dawn Cardeiro
Jessica Thomas
Ray Conover
Kathy Takata
Heather Conover
Cathy Wigand
Kelly Bailey
Mike Lanowy
Nici Lanowy
Priscilla Smyth Thayer
Jeni Pardo de Zela
Meredith Forster
Kim Shute
Evan Gallo
Kim Chandler
Lisa Kerr
Barbara Coppola
Alli Jean
Kristin White
Zulekha Ludwig
Julie DiBari
Susan Whitney
Stephanie Bongiovani
Courtney Pacheo
Stephanie Banister
Patty Sousa
Jan Mermin
Sarah Mermin
Christine Bandoni
Kristen Pierini
Laura Theisen
Ellen Bliss
Mary Benson
Marina Sweet
Betsy Saunders
Sally Hanchett
Patty Sylvia
Carmen Smith
Gina Brennen
Patty Petrillo