Hello all,
May Day is upon us. Below is a more detailed list of the Logan events (please see the April 15th post if you haven't already):
Saturday, May 1, 6 p.m. River Hollow Park
Half hour discussion sessions by topic in the following order:
Hymn #41, Jesse will present a history of socialism and the Mormon interpretation thereof.
Hymn #219, Erik will initiate discussion on social justice and current political options.
Hymn #49, Sam will propose options for heightened environmental sensitivity.
Hymn #273, Missy will introduce ideas on feminism, veganism, and their intersection.
Hymn #309, Marlee will submit methods of supporting the Priesthood.
Hymn #284, 认识般若特也有办法吧。
Hymn #240.
It will be wonderful to see hymn books there. The more languages the merrier. Also, we hope that everybody participating in May Day will take part in a fast "for those who are working all over the world to advance the causes of the Gospel, social justice, environmental sustainability and fighting the root causes of poverty," and bear heartfelt, non-confrontational testimony about these themes in their Sunday meetings. There will therefore be no refreshments on Saturday, but plenty of anticipation for Sunday evening.
Sunday, May 2, 5 p.m. House that looks like Aquafresh
Vegetarian potluck dinner will be served. Miracles will be swapped.
Those only able to make it to one or the other events are certainly welcome to jump in as convenient. We know that this will be a beneficial experience for anybody with even a remote interest in these themes.
If all goes through according to plan, then this will serve as a wonderful springboard to lasting, meaningful dialogue. As comments will likely come from many different angles this weekend, I personally resolve to step back and resist that nasty tendency endemic to our linear-based cultural conditioning of recording and dissecting. It seems we'll only be scratching the surface of so many substantive topics. Instead, I hope to net a quote or two that capture the essence of where we are and where we want to go. Here's to hoping we can all go together; here's a quote from a former South Carolina slave:
You ain’t gwine to believe dat de slaves on our plantation didn’t stop workin’ for old marster, even when they was told dat they was free. Us didn’t want no more than us was gittin’ on our plantation already. Us knowed too well dat us was well took care of, wid a plenty of vittles to eat and tight log and board houses to live in. De slaves, where I lived, knowed after de war dat they had abundance of dat somethin’ called freedom, what they could not wat, wear, and sleep in. Yes, sir, they soon found out dat freedom ain’t nothin’, ‘less you is got somethin’ to live on and a place to call home. Dis livin’ on liberty is lak young folks lini’ on love after they gits married. It just don’t work. No, sir, it las’ so long and not a bit longer. Don’t tell me: It sho’ don’t hold good when you has to work, or when you gits hongry. You knows dat poor white folks and niggers has got to work to live, regardless of liberty, love, and all them things. I believes a person loves more better, when they feels good. I knows from experience dat poor folks feels better when they has food in deir frame and a few dimes to jingle in deir pockets. I knows what it means to be a nigger wid nothin’, Many times I had to turn every way I knowed to git a bite to eat. I didn’t care much ‘bout clothes. What I needed in sich times was food to keep my blood warm and gwine ‘long.
