Canvass
Testimonial
Bob Kiefer
Good Morning. My name is Bob Kiefer and I have
been a member of this congregation for about 4 years now. My wife, Anne
Clark, and I support this congregation not only with our time and energy, but
with our money as well. For me personally, I do this because values that are
important to me are practiced here. Here are a couple of examples. For the
last two years Anne and I have been privileged to participate in a Covenant
Group with six other couples who are interested in exploring Relationships
as a spiritual practice. The depth of sharing and the safe haven to explore
our relationship and the bond with other couples have surpassed any expectation
we had.
On a more individual level, this past year, I
have been made aware of something called White Male Privilege and have had
the opportunity to explore the implications of it in my daily life. How it
is reflected in my opportunities and in my attitudes toward gender, toward
different cultures, different economic classes. This exposure has caused me
to take a fresh look at myself, my values, my attitudes, my practices. Something
I am deeply grateful for.
So I support this congregation because it enables
me to explore my interests like spiritual relationship practice and because
it raises issues such as White Male Privilege into my consciousness. But not
only for those. Also, because it publicly states that marriage rights are civil
rights and need to be equally extended to all within our society. And because
feeding the hungry, housing the homeless, welcoming the stranger are not platitudes,
but programs and deeds here.
Many of you know that I quit my full time job last
October. But…Anne and I have discussed our priorities, our values and
our commitments and we have decided to increase our pledge this year by 10%.
Some other things in our life will feel the pinch. It will not be this congregation.
Having a place like this where people like you gather with us to live out our
values is important to us.
I invite you to examine what it means to you to
have these resources of place and personnel at your disposal—for encouragement,
for support, as an impetus toward personal growth, as a reminder of what is
truly important in today’s society and culture. This is the time of year
we are asked to pledge financial support to this congregation. If, like Anne
and I, you agree that it is important for this congregation to remain viable,
then I invite you to join us in supporting the financial needs that enable
us to do what we do and be who we are in this Charlottesville, Virginia community.
We firmly believe that this place and these values are important. We encourage
you to be generous. Thank you.
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