Last weekend, we put on our big event of the year, the Turning Point Benefit Gala & Auction! And what an extraordinary night! It it such a powerful thing in our day to come together as neighbors and citizens to create community so that everyone can thrive. For when we all come together, there is always more than enough. And it is such a powerful moment to be a part of something good and hopeful in the world - investing in children and families right here in our local community and getting to benefit from the richness of relationship and diversity!
A young woman and tutor, Betelhem shared her story in a video at the event. She had grown up as a bicultural and bilingual young woman who had benefited greatly from the Homework tutoring program (now a Turning Point program). As a graduate of University of Washington in Biomedical Engineering, she is giving back and tutoring in our program. And when asked about what what Turning Point was all about, she replied, "We are here to help support the students' dreams and goals, and to create an environment that fosters the dreams and goals of individuals that have yet to achieve wonders."
A young woman and tutor, Betelhem shared her story in a video at the event. She had grown up as a bicultural and bilingual young woman who had benefited greatly from the Homework tutoring program (now a Turning Point program). As a graduate of University of Washington in Biomedical Engineering, she is giving back and tutoring in our program. And when asked about what what Turning Point was all about, she replied, "We are here to help support the students' dreams and goals, and to create an environment that fosters the dreams and goals of individuals that have yet to achieve wonders."
Just imagine what might happen if we began to show up in the world to create, to dream with hope and imagination? What if we began to bring our presence, our creativity and gifts to bear? What if we pursued that which we love and offered our passion to the community?
This last Sunday, Carrie Cates continued our conversation around Soul Force as she spoke about the shift from Consuming to Creating. And she spoke about the power of what it means to be generative instead of consumptive. To offer that which we alone can bring to the world. To sing the song we must sing. To create. To dance. To love.
And this is in stark contrast to the gospel of consumption. Here is an excerpt from Soul Force: Seven Pivots to Courage, Community & Change.
In the beginning God consumed. God said, "Let there be stuff to buy, television to watch, garbage to dump." God spent the evenings on the couch eating junk food and binge-watching movies. God consumed the earth's resources with no regard for the consequences for future generations. God worked nonstop to feed an endless need for more. Humankind was made in the image of God to be consumers.
Obviously, the Genesis account is quite different. We know that the nature of God is to create and we as image bearers are meant to create as well. And so how do we show up in the world? For certainly, it matters. Whether it is passive or generative, it is not neutral.
And how do we resist the false narratives of our competitive and consumptive world that deter us from doing that which we love. Carrie talked about how the latin root for amateur means lover. We shouldn't hold back because we are not the best or because we are amateur. We should allow ourselves to play and to delight and to create. To do it for the sheer love of it. As Betelhem said well -- How do we create an environment that fosters our dreams and our unrealized wonders?
by Jessica Ketola
This last Sunday, Carrie Cates continued our conversation around Soul Force as she spoke about the shift from Consuming to Creating. And she spoke about the power of what it means to be generative instead of consumptive. To offer that which we alone can bring to the world. To sing the song we must sing. To create. To dance. To love.
And this is in stark contrast to the gospel of consumption. Here is an excerpt from Soul Force: Seven Pivots to Courage, Community & Change.
In the beginning God consumed. God said, "Let there be stuff to buy, television to watch, garbage to dump." God spent the evenings on the couch eating junk food and binge-watching movies. God consumed the earth's resources with no regard for the consequences for future generations. God worked nonstop to feed an endless need for more. Humankind was made in the image of God to be consumers.
Obviously, the Genesis account is quite different. We know that the nature of God is to create and we as image bearers are meant to create as well. And so how do we show up in the world? For certainly, it matters. Whether it is passive or generative, it is not neutral.
And how do we resist the false narratives of our competitive and consumptive world that deter us from doing that which we love. Carrie talked about how the latin root for amateur means lover. We shouldn't hold back because we are not the best or because we are amateur. We should allow ourselves to play and to delight and to create. To do it for the sheer love of it. As Betelhem said well -- How do we create an environment that fosters our dreams and our unrealized wonders?
by Jessica Ketola
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