Radical: “out of the ordinary,” “revolutionary”, favoring extreme changes in existing views, habits, conditions, or institutions. Hospitality: generous and friendly treatment of visitors and guests. Put them together and you are part of a movement that began a few years back but is still every bit of who we are as a community.
What does it mean for us to have someone we have never met and has no relationship to us – in other words, a stranger – being treated by every single one of us at Beatitudes Campus with not just politeness, but overwhelming “revolutionary” generosity? It is radical!
Back when I served a church, I had a relationship with a Samoan United Church of Christ Congregation where I was invited to preach. I did not realize at the time that, in their culture, the minister was considered the descendent of what once was the Chief of all of Samoa. Consequently, ministers are treated like royalty today. That was a new experience for me to be sure. I am not saying I have been mistreated as a clergyperson – except for some hate mail now and then from some justice issues I stood for. Being treated like royalty, though, was not an experience I was accustomed to in the American church. But at this church I was showered with a plate of food so big that it was a weeks’ worth in one sitting. (After a stomach ache later, I learned that it is permissible to take some home.) I was given gift after gift including every member and child giving dollar bills or more to me as I was seated in front of them – and not just once but numerous times by each. It was an experience that I will never forget and a people I will always cherish.
What was amazing to me was how authentic and heartfelt it was; it was their culture but it was also them. There was such a deep feeling of sincerity in their gestures that it moved me deeply. It was the most radical of all hospitality experiences I have ever happened upon.
I want you to feel that way here at Beatitudes Campus. I want to feel that way. I want all staff to feel that same way when they are around you and me. I want every guest, volunteer, visitor, prospective resident, family member or stranger to have a radical hospitality experience. There is not a person in the community, from any faith, any race, any sexual orientation, any gender who is not worthy of our most radical of all welcomes. It is how everybody deserves to feel when they walk into our Beatitudes Community. It is a spiritual experience when it happens, and I look forward to continuing to work with you to make sure it does here (ok, minus the money—no tipping policy, you know).
February is Black History Month and Beatitudes Campus provided the 3rd Annual Black History Month Program with great flair and panache. On Thursday, February 18th, this year’s event centered on a music festival theme and was a spectacular gathering of residents, staff, and guests. The program featured piano playing, singing, readings, and dancing. Music history facts were shared by the readers and touched on topics such as how:
As with any program of this magnitude, many thank you’s must be shared. It could not have been possible without the participation of Beatitudes Campus residents Louis Smith, Barbara Beerling, Doris Lyke and Dosia Carlson who highlighted the show with singing and playing the piano! Shirley Kendrick and Ella Adams (members of the Campus Housekeeping Department) showed up and cleaned the dance floor putting on an amazing performance of “Baby Love” by the Supremes with Chris Mason (Life Enrichment). I must also give a shout out to the staff in the Health Care Center and Housekeeping Departments that graced the dance floor in a praise dance performance, shared quote filled readings, and so much more!
Special thanks must be given to Josie Gay (Staffing Coordinator, Health Care Center, 17 year Campus employee) and Chris Mason (Life Enrichment Specialist, Health Care Center, 9 month Campus employee and a firecracker recruit from Wisconsin last spring). Josie was the original catalyst behind the Black History Month program three years ago and just when we thought her energy and passion couldn’t be matched, she teamed up with Chris. These ladies tirelessly planned, encouraged, practiced and executed an educational and fun event in addition to their daily work here at the Campus. Co-planner Chris Mason stated, “We just want to thank everyone who participated, especially our audience, we couldn’t have asked for a more involved and encouraging crowd.” Our congratulations also go out to, Louise McCarthy and Bob Mulligan, who each won a raffle prize of an amazing gift basket full of unique items put together by the Black History Committee. Enjoy!