Rev. Sammons will explore the adventure of getting older, both as a minister now retired and as a person who wants to remember the poets adage: “Birth and death are the landmarks but it’s the field between that’s important.” Rev. David Sammons is the Minister Emeritus at MDUUC.
Rev. Sammons is building his sermon on an excerpt from “The Fountain of Age” by Betty Friedan.
Welcome! I am Michelle Paquette, pronouns she/her/hers.
“Birth and death are the landmarks but it’s the field between that’s important.” OK, where was this advice 50 years ago when I needed it most?
It was impressed on me at an early age that I had a duty of self-sacrifice, a duty to live my life for others, and that actions for myself were selfish. I spent much of my life doing this, living the way others demanded. I essentially marked time, rusting away, soul corroding, waiting for death to ring down the curtain on this performance.
Betty Friedan made the point in “The Fountain of Age” that wearing out is far preferable to rusting out.
Several years ago, I had a crisis of sorts that forced me to re-examine the way I lived my life. I acted. Rather than rust out, I was going to live, live MY life, and see if I could wear it out instead.
Well, so far, so good! I’m definitely alive, definitely enjoying life, and while I may wear out I’m definitely not rusting out.
Oh, the dress!
This is something special just for today. These colors come from a flag designed by Monica Helms, the Transgender Pride flag. I’ve learned that 70% of folks think they have never met a transgender person. Now, none of you are in that 70%! I wear these colors proudly as a transgender person today.
This is the Transgender Day of Visibility, a day to show your support for the trans community. It aims to bring attention to the accomplishments of trans people around the globe while fighting fear and prejudice, by spreading knowledge of the trans community. This is not a day for mourning: this is a day of empowerment and recognition.
This year, we need allies more than ever. No, what we need are co-conspirators! Come and join us at 4 this afternoon in Civic Park, downtown Walnut Creek!
For the transgender communities, today is a day to celebrate our lives, our successes of the past year.
For my trans siblings, we who transcend gender have looked beneath the surface, and have seen depths that most do not realize even exist. We know these depths within ourselves, these places that most may never encounter. We know the strength, the resilience, and the wisdom we hold deep within us.
Now, let us all, together, explore the adventure of getting older, and perhaps find ways to wear out rather than rust out, as we worship together.
No comments:
Post a Comment