I like to laugh. And my humor hasn’t really advanced past the sixth grade so I’m given plenty of opportunities to giggle. Like every time someone mentions balls or nuts. I’m truly pathetic.
The average child laughs 300 to 500 times a day while the average adult laughs only about 15 times a day, according to the University of Virginia Health System’s Medical Center. My kids wanted to put me on a 15 times a day laughter diet so I would stop embarrassing them. I’m much closer to the average child laughs.
It’s easy to get so wrapped up in the drama and crises of our world that we forget to laugh. It’s also easy to laugh and forget to engage the drama of the world. I try to balance both.
So it is with heavy heart that I recognize the pain of so many in this community let alone this world. Part of my faith tradition is grounded in the cross of Jesus where we share in communion the pain of this world.
I’m thinking especially of the Mayhew family and friends. I know so many lives are shattered in the face of the trauma of a young person dying.
I’m thinking of the many people who experience isolation and loneliness, those struggling with mental health especially with the oncoming darkness and those who experience violence and fear in relationships.
I’m also lifting up the burden of those who experience homelessness or food insecurity.
Part of sharing in the pain of others is giving up the savior syndrome where we think we are in charge of fixing others. I can’t make any of the hurt go away and being “fixed” does not mean looking and acting like me. I’m sorry for the many times the church has adopted that strategy as a mission. We are called to accompany each other in the midst of suffering and joy.
A crew of us religious types from a variety of faith traditions have been working for two years on a national model called Family Promise that seeks to surround families who are experiencing homelessness with the stability of housing and food along with a web of relationships. We use church facilities and faith community volunteers to walk with families through this time to ease some of the chaos so folks can use their energy in visioning the future.
We have the following faith communities ready to help or house: Chapel by the Lake Presbyterian, Northern Light United Church, Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran, Holy Trinity Episcopal, Church of the Nazarene, St. Paul’s Catholic Church, Cathedral of the Nativity, Juneau Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, Congregation Sukkot Shalom and Auke Bay Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints.
I’m excited about this community response because as you can see from this list a wide range of faith communities and volunteers are involved. This means we will build bridges not only with guests who offer a variety of life experiences but also among faith groups. We can do it using resources already available without trying to build something from scratch.
Here’s how you can be involved: attend the fundraiser dinner this Sunday, Sept. 25 from 5-7 p.m. at Northern Light United Church
Talk to your faith community or club about getting involved
Open your hearts and lives to the joy and pain of others. Laugh when appropriate, and sometimes when not, and cry when you hurt. You’re not in charge, you don’t need to fix anyone, but life is much more entertaining when we walk with each other. Especially if someone can juggle or make bodily function sounds with their armpit.
• Tari Stage-Harvey is Pastor at Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church
Read more Neighbors:
Living & Growing: Truth, justice and the American Way
Thank you for raising money at the Softball Benefit Tournament
