December 3, 2012

48 years ago today, I received my acceptance letter from Wilson College. I had applied for "Early Decision" [I agreed to apply to Wilson alone, and I would hear back in early December] because Wilson was the only place I wanted to go.

Set the Scene:
I lived in Bellevue, PA, the first suburb outside of Pittsburgh along the Ohio River, population ~5000. Bellevue High comprised grades 7 through 12. There was no cafeteria--and no school buses or parking lots--so all of the students walked to and from school all of the time, including lunch time.

However, senior year I had a part in a play, which rehearsed at lunch time, so I couldn't go home at lunch time to check our mail. Our landlady agreed to check the mail for me each day, and I would call her from school. On December 3, 1964, the letter from Wilson came; she opened it and read it to me. I think the entire high school heard my whoops of joy and excitement. And my teachers, office staff, and fellows students shared my enthusiasm. I think my mom and I went out to dinner to celebrate that evening.

I did not graduate from Wilson, and I have always been sorry about that. To cover the awkward questions, I just say that I finished at GW after I was married.

Wilson was my school; and one of my closest friends is my roommate from Wilson.

I was not part of the Save Wilson movement; I had just moved to Maryland with a 3-yr old and a newborn. One of my classmates was chair of the Board of Trustees, and I trusted her judgment.

However, in the fall of 1979, I reconnected with Sue Brooks who had been active in Save Wilson. She introduced me to the Baltimore Wilson Club and saw to it that I got back on campus. I met some amazing women and got involved in numerous projects on campus. Barb Tenney noticed me and nominated me for the Alumnae Board.

My three years on the board were life-changing. I was a stay-at-home mom with no intellectual outlet. On the board, I was a leader among many leaders. Wilson College gave me what it gives every graduate--an opportunity to grow and lead.

To be continued.

Today the Wilson College Board of Trustees begin a two-day deliberation on how to turn around the desperate financial state of the college. Among several options being put forth by the president is the option of going co-ed. The alumnae have been kept in the dark about the financial situation [running on a deficit budget for the past three years, plus millions of dollars of debt].

These are alumnae who in 1979 went to court and kept the college from closing. We have been known as Wild Wilson Women for decades. We know how to think outside the box [what box?], and we are very generous to our alma mater.

Alumnae are gathering on campus today and tomorrow in a vigil of support for the college. I am going up tomorrow. And in the meantime, I am keeping the entire Wilson community in my thoughts and prayers.

Wilson was established as a women's college in 1869, and has been dedicated to women's education ever since. It is one of very colleges who offer a Women and Children program for single moms that allows them to live on campus with their children.

Adding a few men to the enrollment will not save the college, especially in an area full of excellent co-ed institutions.

Four Corners Photographs

Having returned from our Four Corners Trip, I have created a Shutterfly page with my photographs. For now you will find a random selection of photos from the Four Corners.

starrmark.shutterfly.com

Today has been a very difficult day for me spiritually. Several years ago, I decided that I could no longer say that every story has two sides; I now say "Every die has six sides." Not unlike the six blind men and the elephant..

I just listened to Bishop Michael Curry's sermon from this past Sunday at General Convention about Crazy Christians. I have been reading comments on various blogs and FB today about the Blessing for Same-Sex Unions that was just passed at GC. I have spent time reading about Sister Jose Hobday and reading Rachel Held Evans' blog today [http://rachelheldevans.com/taking-thumb-off-scale-tverberg], which has to do with judging others. And once again, I have been judged and found majorly wanting by my daughter.

So many of my FB friends are positively jubilant about the approved Blessing; some are wailing that it is not sufficient. Some of the posts from GC want to take Bishop Curry's sermon as his blessing on the gay question, and are flashing their Crazy Christian badges. Other esteemed, faithful Christians are essentially calling this the final blow for the Episcopal Church. In my own ponderings today, I have wondered seriously whether it is now time for us to leave.

This same GC has announced a $1 million budget for Mission and $20 million for litigation against the "rogue" dioceses and parishes. Nine bishops are being sanctioned for standing behind parishes and dioceses who have left the TEC. Is this the face of Crazy Christians? The Crazy Christians Bishop Curry was talking about?

My gut is in knots; my eyes want expel buckets of tears; and my heart is aching.

In the past few weeks, as I have faced the same-sex question, I have had these same reactions. The only thing that has kept me sane has been Rick LaRocca's musical setting for the Prayer for the Gift of the Holy Spirit:
Come Holy Spirit, Fill the Hearts of the Faithful
Kindle in Us the Fire of your Love
Send forth your Spirit and We shall be Created
And You shall renew the Face of the Earth....

Only the Holy Spirit can lead us now. Lord, I believe, Help my unbelief.