Get ready to rumble! Are you ready for
some dodgeball? In the community of Shenandoah, Iowa, a miracle
compilation of area church youth groups combine to battle it out for
People for Paws. That's the aim of the event which took place but
what was the silent diamond-like precept taught? The young men and
women learned that we are not all that different and that we have
much the same struggles as the next guy. What does it mean to hold
dear our neighbor? What would it take in your own life to stretch
forth the arm of understanding that you may hold your sentient
neighbor as someone of just as great a worth as yourself?
We are in the dark midst of
intolerance. The age old topics of intolerance remain but are
accompanied by much more trivial and modern “reasons” to seek
occasion against a brother. We've got inflated intolerance of size,
country of origin, consensus of military, how food is eaten and even
an intolerance of lady bugs. The age old subject is the intolerance
of religion. In 2012 in the community of Shenandoah, Iowa, a miracle
took place among the rising generation of future leaders and
families. In the pursuit
of understanding, good will and sportsmanship among all faiths a
community in southwest Iowa pinned their youth groups strategically
against the other to engage in a dodgeball tournament. The
tournament took place on the 14th of March and all free
will proceeds went to People
for Paws.
Participating area Christian faiths
were two teams from St.
Mary's Catholic Church of Shenandoah, St.
Mary's Catholic Church of Hamburg, St.
Patrick's Catholic Church of Imogene, St. John's Lutheran Church,
First United
Methodist Church, Assembly of God,
Harvest Family Church, First
Presbyterian Church and two teams from the Shenandoah Ward of The
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It was an
interesting feeling for all, especially at first, to be all under one
roof yet associated with our own respective faith. However, with
popcorn to sustain us and an exceptional display of sportsmanship
everyone had fun and retired to their homes all the better for it.
Though this was an epic first step it
is but one in a series of larger steps to be taken to ingrain our
young with the liberating feelings of acceptance and understanding.
There is no reason to shun the prospect of friendship based upon
differing religious doctrines and views. The experience of the human
journey is the road less traveled and is often stripped from
ourselves and our young. Without the drive and experience of
learning and stretching one's own limits there can be no growth.
This event benefited People for Paws
from which a great number of animals will find homes or be cared for.
Yet all in attendance, both young and old, have been enlarged and
uplifted from this experience. It is hoped that this is the first
annual dodgeball event. The potential gain from these types of
events is immeasurable!
Look at the prosperity and the
potential of our city. Aside from the other company markets, located
here is the start of an entire industry of algae
biofuel. If the trend of incredible success continues then this
area will expand and grow. By starting now to build a foundation of
cooperation and openness among the citizens of our area that growth
will continue with minimal degradation of morality and charity in the
years to come. This is unlike most other small and metropolitan
cities that grew without building the community “house” upon the
diamond rock of holding our neighbor dear to the heart.
Let's go forth and lead by example!
All present, youth and adults, were winners that evening! In closing
let's offer a quote from Father Vern Smith of St. Mary's Catholic
Church.
"Truly, Shenandoah's wonderful cooperation between the various churches makes
our city a bright light of faith shining brightly here in southwest Iowa.”
No comments:
Post a Comment