By Rev. Shannon White
I once heard spirituality loosely defined as: Connection with God/self/others. Here’s a recent way that’s been enacted in my life.
I have had the privilege of being a small part of the wide and diverse group of Greenwich residents helping to resettle some of the Afghan evacuees who have recently come to the United States, and specifically here in Greenwich. Jewish Family Services of Greenwich is a temporary Refugee Resettlement Agency under contract with the US government that assured placement for the 32 evacuees and is responsible for all care. They have coordinated efforts with volunteers from The International Ladies Group of Greenwich along with several local houses of worship in town. On a moment’s notice this diverse group has provided the following for 17 of our evacuees: temporary and then permanent housing; furnishings for multiple households; rides to and from medical appointments; clothing for all ages; information on life here in the US, along with navigating the bureaucracy of life as a new resident of the United States, among other things. But along with the tasks at hand, what I have experienced and witnessed is the immense kindness, hospitality and friendship given by our fellow Greenwich neighbors to human beings who need it. Some of these neighbors will become permanent residents of the greater Greenwich area, and some of the permanent housing for these new residents will not ultimately be in Greenwich for a variety of reasons. Still, they are making their way courageously and are extremely grateful for the efforts extended to them. I have found these new friends to be lovely, gracious, extremely interesting and incredibly resilient fellow human beings.
But there has been another benefit to this work. In the few rides I have provided to and from medical appointments, I have met and had deep conversations, not only with our new friends, but also with other volunteers from town whom I might never have crossed paths. I have laughed and my heart has opened more. I am grateful, and I am changed for the better as a human being, as well as a leader in the faith community here in Greenwich.
I was looking at my news feed this week and saw an article by Terri Peters from the Today Show titled, “Inspiring Quotes About Black History to Share with Your Kids.” All of the quotes were wonderful, but one which caught my eye for this article was by Archbishop Desmond Tutu. He was the South African Anglican bishop and theologian, known for his work as an anti-apartheid and human rights activist. Archbishop Tutu, who recently died on December 26, 2021, once said,
“My humanity is bound up in yours—for we can only be human together.”
That statement is so true. It is also so inherently spiritual. As different as we might look from others on the outside, as opposite as our views or politics may be, or even as differently as we may practice our faiths, we are inextricably intertwined together as human beings, even if we fail or refuse to recognize it. We need each other. We actually see more of ourselves, and the Divine, as we interact with people who not only are like us, but who are very different from us as well. And as we do, we become more human and more spiritually connected.
The Rev. Shannon White is the Pastor for Spiritual Development at Round Hill Community Church. Rev. White has been ordained for 31 years in the Presbyterian Church USA and has served in 4 churches in Westchester and Fairfield Counties. She is also the author of The Invisible Conversations with Your Aging Parents, and a former TV news reporter.
