• Remember those lost to AIDS and those now struggling with it
(published Saturday, December 13, 2008 in The State)

On Dec. 1, I attended the 20th annual World AIDS Day Candlelight Vigil held in on the steps of the S.C. State House.

I was reminded of the World AIDS Day Vigil held in 1988 at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, just across the street from where we stood. Like then, it was a cold night. My partner and I attended that service. We didn’t know that it would be the only World AIDS Day Service he would live to attend. I thought of what that event was then and how it had changed over the course of 20 years.

Twenty years ago, a few community and spiritual leaders from different faiths gathered to pray for understanding and strength to come to grips with a largely unknown disease. A large part of the service was devoted to calming fears. Also, we prayed that science would be led to find a cure and treatment. There were prayers for those living with AIDS and for their caregivers. It was a solemn service with more things unknown than known. Few identified as having the disease.
On Dec. 1, some of that same original group were joined by S.C. Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer, Columbia Mayor Bob Coble, and Richland County Councilman-elect Jim Manning. The message is different, but in many ways the same. We still seek strength and understanding. We still seek a cure and better treatment for those living with HIV/AIDS, and we pray for their caregivers. We also challenge those in leadership positions to support increased awareness and prevention of HIV/AIDS.

Participants were challenged to get tested and know their status and encourage their friends and family to do the same.

Today, there are many drugs used in treating HIV with several more in development, and we still pray for a cure. With all we know, people are still becoming infected with HIV, and people still get sick and die with AIDS.

Please remember those who fought and lost the battle with HIV/AIDS. I also ask that you lift up those now living with HIV that their lives continue to improve with available treatment.

Ask our community leaders to provide the necessary HIV testing, awareness and prevention messages in appropriate venues. Let’s continue to support access to treatment and services necessary to improve the lives of those living with HIV. Remember, everyone has a part to play in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

RICK FELDER
Columbia

The Servant Song

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_wMO5KxeAI
1.Will you let me be your servant, let me be as Christ to you?Pray that I might have the grace to let you be my servant, too.
2.We are pilgrims on a journey, we are trav’lers on the road.We are here to help each other walk the mile and bear the load.
3.I will hold the Christ-light for you in the night time of your fear.I will hold my hand out to you, speak the peace you long to hear.
4.I will weep when you are weeping, when you laugh I'll laugh with you.I will share your joy and sorrow till we've seen this journey through.
5.When we sing to god in heaven, we shall find such harmony,born of all we've known together of Christ's love and agony.
6.Will you let me be your servant, let me be as Christ to you?Pray that I might have the grace to let you be my servant, too.
#307 in Hymnal: A Worship Book
Words: Richard Gillard, 1977, alt.Tune: Richard Gillard, 1977; adapted by Betty Pulkingham Text and Music copyright ©1977 Scripture in Song (Admin. by Maranatha! Music)

The irony of commitment is that it is deeply liberating - in work, in play, in love. The act frees you from the tyranny of your internal critic, from the fear that likes to dress itself up and parade around as rational hesitation. To commit is to remove your head as the barrier to your life.
--Anne Morriss

He, in his developed manhood, stood, a little sunburned by the glare of life.

Browning, Elizabeth Barrett

Every little trifle, for some reason, does seem incalculably important and when you say of a thing “nothing hangs on it” it sounds like blasphemy. There’s never any knowledge –how am I to put it- which of our actions, which of our idlenesses won’t have things hanging on it forever.

--Where Angels Fear to Tread
E. M Forester

Amazing Grace

"A high station in life is earned by the gallantry with which appalling experiences are survived with grace."

- Tennessee Williams

live with intention.
walk on th edge.
listen hard.
practice wellness.
play with abandon.
laugh.
choose with no regret.
continue to learn.
appreciate your friends.
do what you love.
live as if this is all there is.
-mary annradmacher

Risk

more than others think is safe.

Care

more than others think is wise.

Dream

more than others think is practical.

Expect

more than others think is possible.

-- West Point Cadet Maxim

Preach the Gospel at all times. Use words when necessary.
--St. Francis

Rotary 4-way test

"Of the things we think, say or do:
1. Is it the Truth?
2. Is it Fair to all concerned?
3. Will it build goodwill and better friendships?
4. Will it be beneficial to all concerned?"

Scout Law

TRUSTWORTHY
A Scout tells the truth. He keeps his promises. Honesty is part of his code of conduct. People can depend on him.
LOYAL
A Scout is true to his family, Scout leaders, friends, school, and nation.
HELPFUL
A Scout is concerned about other people. He does things willingly for others without pay or reward.
FRIENDLY
A Scout is a friend to all. He is a brother to other Scouts. He seeks to understand others. He respects those with ideas and customs other than his own.
COURTEOUS
A Scout is polite to everyone regardless of age or position. He knows good manners make it easier for people to get along together.
KIND
A Scout understands there is strength in being gentle. He treats others as he wants to be treated. He does not hurt or kill harmless things without reason.
OBEDIENT
A Scout follows the rules of his family, school, and troop. He obeys the laws of his community and country. If he thinks these rules and laws are unfair, he tries to have them changed in an orderly manner rather than disobey them.
CHEERFUL
A Scout looks for the bright side of things. He cheerfully does tasks that come his way. He tries to make others happy.
THRIFTY
A Scout works to pay his way and to help others. He saves for unforeseen needs. He protects and conserves natural resources. He carefully uses time and property.
BRAVE
A Scout can face danger even if he is afraid. He has the courage to stand for what he thinks is right even if others laugh at or threaten him.
CLEAN
A Scout keeps his body and mind fit and clean. He goes around with those who believe in living by these same ideals. He helps keep his home and community clean.
REVERENT
A Scout is reverent toward God. He is faithful in his religious duties. He respects the beliefs of others.

With rue my heart is laden
For golden friends I had,
For many a rose-lipt maiden
And many a lightfoot lad.

By brooks too broad for leaping
The lightfoot boys are laid;
The rose-lipt girls are sleeping
In fields whre roses fade.

--A E Housman

God became man to turn creatures into sons: not simply to produce better men of the old kind but to produce a new kind of man. It is not like teaching a horse to jump better and better but like turning a horse into a winged creature. Of course, once it got its wings, it will soar over fences which could never have been jumped and thus beat the natural horse at its own game. But there may be a period, while the wings are just beginning to grow, when it cannot do so: and at that stage the lumps on the shoulders-no one could tell by looking at them that they were going to be wings-may even give it an awkward appearance.

--Mere Christianity
C. S. Lewis

if you don't like something, change it. if you can't change it, change your attitude.

--maya angelou

You have to have confidence in your ability and then be tough enough to follow through.
--Rosalynn Carter

You must do the thing you think you cannot do.
--Eleanor Roosevelt

Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.
-Arthur Ashe

Bits & Pieces

Bits and pieces, bits and pieces. People. People important to you, people unimportant to you cross your life, touch it with love and move on. There are people who leave you and you breathe a sigh of relief and wonder why you ever came into contact with them. There are people who leave you, and you breathe a sigh of remorse and wonder why they had to go and leave such a gaping hole. Children leave parents, friends leave friends. Acquaintances move on. People change homes. People grow apart. Enemies hate and move on. Friends love and move on. You think of the many people who have moved in and out of your hazy memory. You look at those present and wonder. I believe in God's master plan in lives. He moves people in and out of each other's lives, and each leaves his mark on the other. You find you are made up of bits and pieces of all who have ever touched your life. You are more because of them, and would be less if they had not touched you. Pray that you accept the bits and pieces in humility and wonder, and never question and never regret. Bit's and pieces, bits and pieces.
-Anonymous

The Way I See It

The law, for all its failings, has a noble goal--to make the little bit of life that people can actually control more just. We can't end disease or natural disasters, but we can devise rules for our dealings with one another that fairly weigh the rights and needs of everyone, and which, therefore, reflect our best vision of ourselves.

--Scott Turow

THE JOURNEY HAS BEGUN!

Are You With Me?