Linwood House Ministries

This Week in the Great Room: Words

This week in the Great Room has been all about words.

"Gentle words are a tree of life; a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit." (Proverbs 15:4)

A Chinese proverb reminds us that, "A bad word whispered will echo a thousand miles", and from an anonymous author, "Words can make a deeper scar than silence can heal." 

As we sat in our Women's Circle this week, we talked at length about the power of words to build us up or break us down. One friend shared that she read that for every negative word spoken over a person, it takes one hundred positive words to reverse what was said. A picture came to us as we envisioned a negative word creating a stain on your heart that requires many people, and much energy and elbow grease to scrub it away. We talked about so many forms of negative words. Gossip. Abuse as children. Racism. Sexism. Uncontrolled anger. Impulsive outbursts. Angry words that come really from our own fears and insecurities. We talked about being on the receiving end of those types of words and how it felt, and looked honestly at times when we have been the deliverer. 

It has been a challenging time in our circle as even this week, between friends, words have been used to hurt. But there has also been incredible restoration as words have been used to build a bridge, heal a hurt, and reach out a hand towards trust. This truly is what the journey--yours, mine and everyone's--is about.

As Valentine's Day is approaching and believing in the power of, and desperate need we all have, for life-giving words, we have once again undertaken a little project at the Great Room called Love Notes to a City. Gathered around a table covered in glue and paper and glitter and stickers, we have been creating love notes that we are going to pass out to random strangers as we walk in the Women's Memorial March through the downtown Eastside on February 14th.  Beautifully adorned little notes with inspiring messages of hope and life.

"You can do it"

"You are beautiful"

"It's never too late"

"Make peace"

"Respect yourself"

"Ask for help. You deserve it"

"There is hope"

"Follow your dreams... They matter"

We are believing that every little love note has been inspired and that through divine connection, the right note will get to exactly the right person.. These are messages for everyone. Not just the residents of the downtown Eastside, but organizers, visitors, a camera man, a police officer, a store owner. We can't wait to deliver these, and be a small part in spreading messages of hope, peace, and love to a city.

We will be meeting at the Great Room, on February 14th at 10am for a Valentine's Tea complete with cinnamon bannock, cookies and heart treats. We will end the tea with some time for prayer and reflection together, and then we will walk up to Carnegie Centre for the beginning of the march at 12 noon. Once the march begins, we will pass out our Love Notes as we walk. 

We would love for you to join us. Please email me if you'd like more infomation, or to let us know that you'll be with us, at [email protected].

Peace to each of you.

~ Sue Todd

Looking and Marching

 

"They are not here for us to look at. They are here, looking at us."

Those were the words spoken by Chief Ian Campbell of the Squamish Nation as he drew our eyes but also our hearts to the infamous poster of 69 of the missing and murdered women of the Downtown Eastside (DTES). I have never been asked to look at that poster in that way. I will never look at it the same way again.

These words began the three hour public hearing of the Missing Women Commission of Inquiry, held on Wednesday January 19 here in Vancouver. Attended by the inquiry's Commissioner, Wally Oppal, the goal of the public hearing was to clarify the intent and scope of the Commission. Perhaps more importantly it was to give family, community members, advocates and community organizations the opportunity to share their personal stories, make recommendations and highlight issues that should be considered as the Commission fulfills its' mission.

Understandably there was much mistrust, pain and anger in the room. Concerns regarding the limited scope of the inquiry and the reliability and trustworthiness of the government and police services are legitimate and need to be explored. This is going to be a long and overwhelming task, and it may not yield the answers that will restore the sense of justice that is so deserved to the friends and family left behind.

I left that evening with much confusion, disappointment, hurt and frustration in my heart. And yet, as I sat behind the row of elders, family members and First Nations advocates - all women - I was nothing short of inspired. These women are warriors, and the scars of battle are evident. Their shoulders carry the burden of their sisters, their eyes piercing like eyes that have seen too much, their faces worn and etched with the stain of their tears. But they walk with backs straight and heads held high, proud and indignant, refusing to carry shame and unwavering in their pursuit of justice. They speak fiercely, women who have a voice that will not be silenced.

Their stature caused me to sit straighter, taller, to call strength from my voice and add it to the chorus around me.

They are not here for us to look at. They are here, looking at us.

If we receive the stares from those pictures, meet their gazes that will not look away, we will hear their voices calling us to action.

What will your action be? What will be mine?

On Monday February 14th, our circle of women from the Great Room will participate in the Annual Women's Memorial March. Prior to the march, we will be hosting a Valentine's Tea in the Great Room at 10am that will be open to anyone and everyone who would like to attend. We would love to have you join us, march with us, meet our friends from the DTES, and stand with and for the families of far too many women who have lost their lives.

If you would like more information, please email me at sue (at) linwoodhouseministries.org

What will your action be?

~ Sue Todd

The Plot Thickens - An Opportunity From A Rocha Canada

One of the projects we're excited about for 2011 is a garden at Linwood House. 

I can hear some of you now. A garden?! Linwood House already has an incredible garden! 

It's true, and Louise does an incredible job keeping the grounds looking the way they do. But now we're talking about trying to grow food! Last year during the Men's Work Weekend Gerry and the boys created a large garden plot on the upper lawn. Of course, now all we need to do is figure out what to do with it.

That's where our friends at A Rocha come in. They're a faith-based, international conservation organization that we have been aware of for a few years. We love what they do and feel a very strong affinity with them. Environmental stewardship is something that we are growing increasingly aware of here at Linwood, and we're excited about the opportunity to introduce this key element into everything we do here. Food security, nutrition, nature... it all fits with the journey we are on with our friends from the Downtown Eastside. You'll see on A Rocha's web site that their key words are Change, Transformation, Restoration, Hope. These are words we can get excited about! Our friends at A Rocha have a lot to teach us, and we're looking forward to getting to know them better in the days ahead.

February 11 and 12 we'll be attending The Plot Thickens, a workshop for those interested in starting a community garden. This will be held at their beautiful farm facilities in South Surrey, and we're really excited about it. If you live in the Lower Mainland and are interested, you may want to come along as well. There's more information on their web site, and you can download a poster and information sheet here.

Maybe we'll see some of you on February 11th!