|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
About Me I was born in 1955 to
Catholic parents and have tested many waters in my journey to Quakerism. I have gone from a politically liberal
adolescence to an ultraconservative, fundamentalist adulthood to a more
politically moderate but religiously liberal middle age. I graduated from the
Baptist College of Health Sciences with a Bachelor of Science degree in
Nursing, and I have been a nurse for over 30 years, most of those caring for
children with life threatening illnesses at a world renowned pediatric
hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. I have
been directly involved in pediatric clinical research since 2001 and am a
member of the Society of Clinical Research Professionals. I have been married to
Dan since 1989 and have 2 terrific step-daughters who have given us 6
beautiful, healthy grandchildren. Dan and I reside in Memphis, Tennessee and
attend the Memphis Friends Meeting. After years of spiritual
study, growth and change, Dan and I felt that, although we didn’t have a
denomination we felt comfortable in, we had finally arrived at a spiritual
oasis where we felt that we could clearly identify our faith. On a cold,
Christmas Day in the year 2000 in a tiny chapel in Eureka Springs, Arkansas,
Dan and I knelt and spoke the following promise: The Jesuserian Pledge I pledge to follow the Single Way of
love and service to others that Jesus taught. I pledge to live a life of simplicity
in dress and manner, taking from the earth only what I need to live
comfortably, and sharing freely with others. I pledge to live a life of
non-attachment. I own nothing. All that I have belongs to God, and I have
only been entrusted with God’s possessions.
When I give to others of God’s goods, I do not expect thanks, for I
have given nothing of myself. I pledge to live a life of
generosity. I will share the blessings
of God on my life with those in need whom God brings across my path. I will not hoard money or possessions while
others live in need. I pledge to live a life of
humility. When possible, I will
apologize to those I offend in word or deed.
I will treat all others as equals and honor none above another. I pledge to treat all others as I wish
to be treated. I will be kind to all
of God’s creatures, both great and small.
Beyond my needs, I will not take life, for I did not give it. I pledge to love others just as they
are without trying to change them into the way I wish they were. I pledge to perform unplanned acts of
kindness when opportunities arise with no expectation of reward. My single purpose in life is to love
and serve others; to leave things better than I found them; to consider the
common good above my own; and I will perform this task to the best of my
ability so help me God. This is how we have
tried to live our lives since then.
This vow was adopted by The Jesuserian Society in
2001. Several years after making this
vow, we discovered the Society of Friends (Quakers), and were amazed to find
how closely aligned our vow was to their Testimonies of Simplicity, Peace,
Integrity, and Equality. During our 2 years of regular attendance at the
Memphis Friends Meeting we have recognized a great diversity of spiritual
beliefs represented there, and we are grateful for their desire to “be a
sanctuary for the acceptance of differences.”
HOME
|
|
||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
