Affinity4 Community Blog

“Is a church a graduation venue?” That is both the title, and main issue in USA Today’s article by Greg Toppo. What do you think? Should a public ceremony be allowed to take place in a private, religious venue? Well many say no.

According to the article, five Connecticut school districts decided that they would do their commencements in a mega church, and after arguments within the schools, 4 out of 5 opted to change their location.

The one school, located in Enfield, who refused to change their location, believed that having their ceremony in the mega church was the best choice. Not only was the space close to $55,000 cheaper, but the large screens would allow for each parent to see their child. Sounds to me like a logical, well thought out decision, but according to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), who threatened action on behalf of those uncomfortable with their children graduating in a church, this brings up an issue between the separation of church and state.

I would have to disagree. Fortunately, I am not the only one. The American Center for Law & Justice has agreed to stand with the Enfield school if the ACLU decides to move forward with action against them. When I graduated from high school, I could have cared less if I walked across stage in a synagogue, mosque, or outside on the football field. Continued arguments over the venue will do nothing but take away from the special occasion their children have spent their entire lives working towards. As far as I’m concerned, anyone who doesn’t allow their child to walk because their graduation is in a church has done nothing but expose their own ignorance. Tolerance applies to everybody, and the least the parents can do is show a little respect.

As long as the church is being used for secular reasons, I think it’s more than appropriate to hold a graduation wherever the school best sees fit. If the parents don’t like it, I suggest they find, and pay for a different location.

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I recently read an interesting article on the rise of giving to charities and other organizations through text by Jeff Brooks titled “Text Giving: a Tool, Not a Miracle”. The article focused on revealing some of text giving’s best attributes and uses, as well as its limitations. For instance, Brooks points out that text giving is one of the quickest ways to reach massive amounts of young people, all who are equip with a cell phone. In addition, without having to pay for the donation immediately, users can “buy now, pay later”. And, as someone who uses her phone for everything from email, to writing papers, to checking my bank balance, this feature fit in with my on the go lifestyle. For instance, when the tsunami hit Haiti, I didn’t have to make a phone call or sit on a home computer to enter in personal information-all I had to do was text “Haiti” in my phone and was able to give a $10 donation through my phone company.

The article also made sure to state text giving’s considerable drawbacks and limitations. Unlike online gift giving, text giving promotes one-time, anonymous donors with low-dollar gifts. And when the numbers are tallied, web gifts account for 14 times the amount of dollar donations than text gifts. I would agree with this for two reasons; first, I think that older, more financially stable patrons are more likely to use the computer in the first place for their charitable giving. Secondly, those who give online seem to be more likely to be long-term givers, who have probably been giving to that organization for a long period of time. Conversely, I think that people my age that are less allegiant to a particular cause, are more likely to give a smaller amounts of money to a variety of causes depending on media coverage.

Though text giving shouldn’t replace traditional methods, I feel like it is definitely one of the best tools to bring in new donations. By recognizing its unique attributes, I think text giving will open up a new market for charitable organizations around the world.

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While speaking to a pastor years ago I was given the most incredible analogy of God answering prayer. He told me that I should consider my prayer cup in Heaven. Each time I pray for an issue my prayer request goes into the prayer cup as does the prayers of others who are praying along with me. With more prayer, the cup fills up until it finally overflows. The answer to the prayer then spills down from Heaven. I’ve often used his words when talking to others looking for answers to prayer. It has truly taught me about the importance of diligence in prayer and God’s timing.

Speaking of prayer, this year, like last rumor has it that President Obama is cancelling National Day of Prayer. On the contrary, he will be signing the proclamation recognizing NDOP, but he won’t be holding any White House ceremonies or observances. This has of course ruffled many feathers in the Christian community.

It is disheartening to know that a ceremony that calls the Christian community to intercede for America and its leadership in the seven centers of power: Government, Military, Media, Business, Education, Church and Family would be deemed as offensive or unnecessary by our current administration.

God’s word clearly states in II Chronicles 7:14, “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

My personal thoughts: The cup needs filling my friends! And how truly blessed our administration is to have the Christian community sending up prayers on their behalf! Can’t wait til the cup overflows, how about you?

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At 3:02 pm on Monday, April 5th, an explosion in West Virginia’s Upper Branch coal mine knocked out lights, communication, ventilation fans, and created a windstorm that shot shafts, rocks, and debris in the air-that’s what the news said when I first heard of the accident. It didn’t seem too serious though, as I didn’t realize the magnitude of what just happened, nor the impact this accident would have on the community. But after the dust settled, I found out that the death total thus was 25 with 4 still missing, the biggest coal mine accident in over a quarter of a century.

As I looked at the news, I couldn’t believe how this could happen. In 2010, I didn’t even think that people would still be suffering from unhealthy work conditions, noxious gases, and mine explosions. The President of the company received over 100 citations for unsafe working conditions while men worked miles below surface exposed to dangerous levels of methane gas.

What was worse than anything was looking at the faces of families and friends waiting to hear news of their loved ones. How unfair must it feel not knowing what has happened to those you love the most. One of the families hit the hardest were that of Timmy Davis Jr., who lost his dad and two cousins in the blast-an entire family ripped apart. My greatest hope now is not only for those still missing to be found safe and healthy, but for the industry to finally take the precautions necessary to protect the lives of their workers before something like this happens again.

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Autism is a complex, developmental disability that has made a large impact on my life. Defined as a “spectrum disorder”, Autism comes in varying degrees of severity. And, with autism numbers on the rise, more and more families have been affected, including mine. My sister, who is mildly autistic, has suffered with the disability for the past 12 years.

Though I am 9 years older than her, I have always admired and respected my sister for the extra effort she has had to put forth throughout her life. As a child, it took her a little longer to learn how to do certain things, and always stayed to herself. Luckily, early detection helped my family and I learn how to best manage with her disability as well as help her excel despite some limitations.

Now in the 7th grade, with a little extra help my sister has become a straight “A” student, a wonderful older sister to our younger siblings, and an amazing person.

To learn more about the disorder and find ways to help, visit: www.autism-society.org/

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Easter is perhaps the most celebrated holiday by Christians around the world. Individuals and families have time honored traditions that are based on their personal beliefs and denominational customs in regard to Easter. The traditions can even vary based on the part of the world one lives in.

In Switzerland, weeks before Easter chocolate bunnies, colored eggs and special Easter cakes called Osterfladen will fill shop windows. On Easter Sunday children will start their morning with Easter-egg hunts, as they search both house and garden to gather what the Easter bunny has left.

In Canton Fribourg, part of their Good Friday custom includes ‘weeping women’ carrying scarlet cushions through the streets bearing the symbols of Christ’s passion. They will carry the crucifixion nails, the crown of thorns, and the handkerchief used to wipe Christ’s brow as he carried the cross. The streets of the town will be filled with the chants and prayers of believers.

Here in the United States, weeks prior to Easter families will line up in waiting for their children to visit the Easter bunny. They will shop for their Easter outfits, dye eggs and plan egg hunts. Some will participate in Easter plays and pageants at school or cantatas and other special services at church.

I personally have no issue with coloring and hunting eggs. I’ve always loved watching my children rummage through their baskets to see what the “bunny” has left them. And of course the opportunity to hunt for the perfect Easter ensemble is quite fun too! But my favorite things to do during Easter are the making of Resurrection or Easter Story Cookies, attending Easter Sunrise Service on the beach in our neighborhood, then later watching our church Easter Cantata.

So I guess my family has been guilty of participating in some traditions that are part of the commercialization of Easter. But, we never lose site of the true meaning of the holiday! After all, there is nothing more worthy of celebration than the promise of eternal life with the King! Wishing you and yours an Easter filled with the love of Christ and the peace of knowing that He has risen, He has risen indeed!

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