By Shan Sullivan
This past summer, when I became the owner and managing director of Exploring Sainthood, I decided that above all else, my primary mission was to facilitate a spirit of service as the bedrock of this project and community. I believe that as we truly learn to love our neighbors as we love ourselves, we can create within Mormonism a refuge from the pain and evils of the world. As we show others that our hearts are with them, both we and they begin to believe that there is room for everyone in God’s plan. As part of our commitment to serving others and “to mourn with those that mourn and comfort those that stand in need of comfort,” we have chosen two ongoing service projects. I am pleased to announce that the first of these will begin this week.
OUTreach Resource Center, whose mission is to provide resources for LGBTQ teens and their allies, is a community center offering support groups and classes that deal with coming out, responding to bullying, education and employment training and suicide support. They meet every Wednesday afternoon from 3:00 to 7:30pm at their location in Ogden, Utah, and they are currently in the process of adding new locations throughout the coming months.
Starting on November 13 at 5:30pm, we will be providing and serving dinner at the center. We are looking for donations of time and/or money to help make our involvement possible. We need people to help cook and serve food that night and we are seeking donations to pay for the food. 100% of the money donated will go to the purchase and preparation of the food each month. If you are interested in helping, please contact Shan at exploringsainthood@gmail.com or donate here.
I thought long and hard over the decision to involve Exploring Sainthood with this organization. OUTreach is trying to do good things. They need our help. I believe that our service to these teens and those who work with them will help them to realize that they are not alone. Many of the kids who receive support at the center are hurt by the exclusion that they feel because of who they are. They are hopeless that things will get better for them. I chose this group to show these kids that we care about them and that we are working to make Mormonism a more accepting and loving place for all of God’s children. Please join Exploring Sainthood in our efforts by donating your time and/or money to ensure this is a success.
http://tinyurl.com/ES-Outreach
Nov. 12 Opening in Logan
Logan Cache Youth Resource Center Opening
Cache Valley Unitarian Universalist Church
596 East 900 North, Logan, UT 84321
Pablo
Born and raised in Northern California, Pablo received his education at Ricks College and BYU with a BA in Spanish, minor in PE Coaching. Pablo served his LDS mission during the years 94-96 in Rosario, Argentina. He now runs a skate shop and batting cages in Orem, UT. He's married and has 4 boys.
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