The Gathering Season ’My initial article was’ I am turning pages in my ragged pocket notebook and find these four words, which had arrived on the brink of my pen, .ready to open my December column. When did I first write down that phrase? Accepting this gift from the ‘creative force as a sign’ of good will, I proceed with more conviction. . We have all been taken beyond our own safety nets these last few months. And, I could not have my last words of this calendar year be too impersonal or theoretical. My initial article was sincere in a gently taunting way. And, sometime in the next year, I may have reason to open it up to you for your own consideration. This time, I can offer you no less than if we were talking. In so doing, there is a lack of completion. I am denied the privi- lege of listening to what youmight say as our words mix and blend into conversation. Culturally speaking,‘ there was one hell of a volcanic eruption not so many weeks ago. Hardly anyone on this planet did not feel the ripple effect of the initial blast. Asl stood frozen in my home, before any cognitive outpouring or physical draining, the core part of me responded. Closing my eyes I reached out embracing those around me. My nearest life connections of family and friends extended out continuing on to all those closest to them, forming a spiral. This felt more primal than my geographical time, more personal than my ' outer being. These attachments reassured me. I needed to gently, warmly hold those arotmd me. When it flows like this through us, out over the face of the planet, individual pain and loneliness can be eased. ’Pain and alone’ whatia tortuous state. Comforting, healing energies such as love and laughter are not separate from pain and loneliness. As we are-able to open up to one another, there is a natural adjustment. Whatever loneliness _ or pain exists becomes stirred up, balancing out with bits of warmth in moments of light- heartedness. My image of planetary interconnectedness is not meant as some superficial group hug. An artificial or forced expression of any kind is not helpful or pleasant. Simply, as we gath- er our loved ones round us as we gather round those we love the entire community is strengthened. All the ways we touch one 'another’s lives, how seemingly trivial, are equally important. And maybe, as we move from a holiday of thanks, our ability to have gratefulness toward one another will linger past its usual waning time. Trite as this still sounds, life is too short. 0 ' For me, this is a gathering season. I wish for you a coming together in gentle spirited- ness and ‘gathering of hearts’. Whenever possible I promise to let go my vocabularies of causes, interpretations and limitations and wait upon my.heart’s vision and my Spirit's humor. I want to honor our laughter as much as our grieving, respecting the natural tim- ing of the season. ' World News continued from page three with the gay community. The University of California report is the first to assess long-terrn efforts to integrate _ gay and lesbian officers into a major urban police force. , ”Overall, San Diego's 10-year effort has increased trust and cohesion,” said Aaron Belkin, director of the Center for the Study of Sexual Minorities in the Military at the UC Santa Barbara." _ . . Belkin and his team spent five months this year reviewing research about gay police and interviewing people in the department and community. Heterosexual officers had feared that integrating gay and lesbian officers _into the ranks would prove divisive. Instead, researchers said teamwork has improved. Police relations with gay and minori- ty residents have also improved. ' While some department members remain opposed to homosexuality, anti-gay harass- ment has been minimal, researchers said. Salvation Army y SAN FRANCISCO — Salvation Army employees shouldn't expect to get domestic part- nership benefits anytime soon. The national Salvation Army has rescinded a decision by officials of its western terri- tory to offer the unmarried partners of its employees health benefits. Until November, the evangelical Christian group offered benefits only to married cou- ples and their dependent children. But leaders of the group's Western Territory said Nov. 1 they vvou.l:f. also begin offering benefits to all adult members of an employee's house- hold, including straight and gay partners. Under the national leaders’ decision, the Western Territory will follow the same policy as therest of the group. ”We’ve been listening to our internal and external constituencies, and we now confirm adherence to biblical principles concerning marriage and the family,” said Theresa Whitfield, the Salvation Army's media relations director. In October, the Salvation Arrn:y’s commissioners decided to let the four U.S. territories 0 determine their health care policies, and the Western Territory was the only one to expand benefits. Now, the commissioners decided to return health care policymaking to the national level.the victim of ”a hate crime, pure and simpie.”- COLUMNS december 200‘. OITN ° 19 (moved by: George Brewer REALTOR CH5. GRI, ORB. ABR (302) 388-1000 { Inngmldd@sover.net ' www.ianqtearn.nel The Shoreham Inn & country Store This Is the opportunity you've been waiting for! Tnis charming, historic inn, c. 1790. is situated on 5.5 acres in the heart of the Champlain Valley. With 10 uniquely furnished guest rooms. to baths, 3 fireplaces and a 40-seat restaurant, the inn’ is a full-service establishment. The country store m ieatures a selection of Vermont products and a tuii deli. A complete turn-key oper- ,,,.,...,,;. allon with owner's quarters and a large and loyal client base. 5599.000. 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