Small Town Life

For the first time in my life, I have become a community activist/volunteer.  Moving as often as I have, I always had to focus on my job and family first.  But now that we’ve been in one place for 10 years (yea!) I have had the opportunity to get involved in my community on a volunteer level.  Truth is, professional opportunities in my preferred career are limited.  I don’t mean to say that I don’t love my job, because I do.  But I have a Master’s Degree in another field - so now I am a volunteer in that field, for three different organizations. 

So, here’s the unexpected thing:  even though I am as well-qualified (and perhaps better qualified) than the paid staff, I am clearly treated differently.  I may be a colleague, but I am certainly not a peer.  Why is that?  Why are “amateurs” considered less capable, less qualified, less everything than “professionals”?  Did you know that the word “amateur” comes from the French word for “lover of” - meaning that amateurs do it (whatever “it” is) for the love of it.  And yet, the word has a negative connotation - think of the term ”rank amateur.” 

I am hopeful that this attitude will change.  We will have both the baby boomers and the millenials to thank for that change.  As more and more baby boomers retire (but don’t slow down), they will enter the ranks of volunteers and they will bring incredible talent and energy with them.  At the same time, I think the millenials, with their ”live first, work second” approach to life, will make the contributions of volunteers - amateurs - more respected.  
  

Wickliffe Church is located in northeastern Clarke County, Virginia.  The church was established in 1818 as a separate congregation of the Old Chapel Episcopal Church in Millwood.  The present-day Greek Revival brick building was constructed in 1846.

In 1831, Grace Episcopal Church in Berryville was formed as a mission of Wickliffe and became a separate church in 1853.  By 1919, Wickliffe’s congregation had dwindled and the remaining members joined Grace Church.  Today, Wickliffe Church is maintained by the Clarke Episcopal Parish and is the site of an annual homecoming service and picnic on the 3rd Sunday of August.

I first heard this blessing at the memorial service for my uncle, who was very proud of his Scottish heritage.  It has become one of my favorites:

If there is righteousness in the heart, there will be beauty in the character.
If there is beauty in the character, there will be harmony in the home.
If there is harmony in the home, there will be order in the nation.
If there is order in the nation, there will be peace in the world.
So let it be.

Message:  pay attention to the small stuff, and the big stuff will take care of itself.