Spiritual Life
SPIRITUAL LIFE COMMITTEE
SENIOR QUEST FOR MEANING
Senior Quest is an annual, themed series of lectures in the fall, winter, and spring on matters involving spiritual considerations, planned by the Spiritual Life Committee. The 2023-2024 program will be a series of eight interactive presentations on The Evolution of Systemic Racism led by Prof. Emeritus Leanne Puglielli of Ohio and Wisconsin and Distinguished Clinical Professor Ben Kempinen of the University of Wisconsin Law School. The study of the past is to create options for the future and the focus will be on what concrete action GHBC can undertake in the present
All presentations are from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. in the Top of the West (ToW).
| DATE |
PROGRAM |
| September 11 |
Roots of Chattel Slavery |
| October 16 |
Institutionalization of "Cherished White Property" |
| November 13 |
Freedom Followed by Slavery by Another Name |
| January 8 |
Northern Segregation Practices |
| February 5 |
Capitalism Trumps Equality (the New Deal) |
| March 4 |
Civil Rights Takes Center Stage |
| April 1 |
Sixty Years of Push Back |
| May 6 |
White Nationalism |
FROM PREVIOUS PROGRAMS
SCHOLARSHIPS IN MEMORY OF LYNCHING VICTIMS
At the January 9, 2023, Senior Quest panel, Dr. Alton Wallace mentioned the ASBC Foundation's proposal for scholarships in memory of two lynching victims recently recognized by the City of Alexandria. Click HERE for information and an update on the program.
SACRED GROUND
Also at the Senior Quest panel on January 9, 2023, a visitor mentioned the Episcopal Church's Sacred Ground program. The program is designed to help White people talk to other White people. The link to the program is https://www.episcopalchurch.org/sacred-ground/
BECOMING ANTI-RACIST
The Spiritual Life Committee wants to support the Goodwin Living mission while helping residents understand the current cultural upheavals over racism. The Committee and its Senior Quest for Meaning subcommittee continue to offer a number of opportunities to explore the topic of becoming an anti-racist.
RESOURCES
Below are lists of information you may find useful as we learn more about systemic racism and consider our own responses.
AS YOU READ AND REFLECT...
- If you are surprised or confused by what you feel or learn, embrace those insights with an open heart. Ask yourself, "What am I able to learn through this?" or "What is my heart telling me?"
- You might feel guilty, discouraged, or angry, if the changes you hope to see in yourself or others are not happening fast enough. Respect yourself and others. Remember we are all learning and growing together, each in our own way.
- Most importantly, remember that this is soul work. Therefore, it can be challenging and heart-breaking, but also inspiring and meaningful. We ask that you remain open to the process and know your community supports you.
Together we can educate, embrace and empower a culture where racism is openly discussed and thoughtfully changed.
