I am almost giddy from excitement for October 31! This day ushers in one of my favorite little holidays before we dive straight into a series of major holidays. And while I have no problem with celebrating Halloween – it is not the holiday I am referring to. October 31 is also known as Reformation Day!
I recently wrote a newsletter article (God Creates Race, We Created Racism) for our Council Road newsletter about how my perspective on race and racism changed. I wish everyone could have an immersive experience like the one I described and experienced! It was a powerful jumping off board and I continue to grow, learn, and invest in significant ways.
Being born female--that is the #1 risk factor for breast cancer. I was first touched by breast cancer as a young teenager when a grandmother I dearly loved was diagnosed and had one of her breasts removed. Since then, I’ve had maternal and paternal aunts that have had full mastectomies, my second grandmother was diagnosed, and my mother had countless cysts aspirated and removed.
Some of my most favorite neighbors are an African American family. Current events involving race finally mandated a conversation I’ve always wanted to have with them regarding what it’s like to be them. Arlene and I text a lot. She shares the important events in her life—like her recent retirement from a nursing career and the death of her sister this summer.
We like to be comfortable. Many of our behaviors are motivated (often subconsciously) by our desire to maintain comfort. We want our needs met (and then some). We want predictability. We want everyone to “just get along”. Easy and stress-free, this type of lifestyle can still be devoid of peace because the Bible’s concept of peace is not about comfort.
Good mental health is vitally important for us all and 2020 has certainly challenged our ability to fully experience it. With this in mind, along with September 10th being Suicide Prevention Day, we wanted to redirect you to a sampling of the great mental health content that we’ve produced over the years on our blog at www.councilroadwomen.org. I am inexplicably grateful for the insights and personal vulnerability the authors of these articles have shared.
In honor of Down Syndrome Awareness Month coming in October, we wanted to chat with a couple of our favorite moms, Eilene Franks and Katie Harder, both raising children diagnosed with Down Syndrome. As you will see from this conversation, there is so much more to a person than a diagnosis, but we do want to shine a light on the special children they are raising and how we, as a church and community, can better understand and support families like theirs.
