Oct
Service
Later today, I will be doing the invocation at the dedication of a headstone. The stone is being placed on the grave of a Civil War veteran. Somehow, he had been overlooked by the authorities of his day. On discovering the grave, one of today’s veterans started the process of getting the proper headstone for the former Civil War soldier. Though their service was separated by more than 100 years, it was a matter of one veteran recognizing the honorable service of another.
I am honored that I was asked to do the invocation.
Service is important, whether it is military service to the nation or personal service to the community. We need service because Life is a balance of Me and We. It is the individual and the people.
I am concerned that too many Heathens are either totally into the Me part of it, or limit the We to their household and friends. While we will never be one unified crowd singing the same tune, we are more than scattered households and individuals. Our concept of a Heathen We needs to be broadened.
What are we doing to serve Heathenism? At this time, we serve by our example. The way others view Heathenism is inexorably connected to how they view us individually. Our behavior sends a message. The same goes for younger Heathens. They rely on the example of older Heathens. Everything we do sends a message. That is fine if the example is being set by a responsible adult of good character. It is appalling if the example is set by the biggest nuisance in a trailer park. We each need to ask ourselves if our individual examples are serving or hurting Heathenism.
There are Heathens who serve by providing websites, publications, classes and outreach activities. Some serve by hosting blots and meetings. Other serve by forming kindreds and organizing events. There are many other ways to serve Heathenism and the Heathen community.
Consider things you can do that benefit Heathenism. It is high time we get a better sense of the We side of things. For the sake of our future, we must start now. Our service will directly affect the future of Heathenism.
