January 29, 2006
Laity Sunday – Michael Halloran

Good morning,

My name is Michael Halloran and I’m standing in front of you today because Linda now has the power to persuade people to do things they are uncomfortable with. 

• So the scripture we are focused on today is about Salt and Light and what I take away from this is that I need to be flavorful or purposeful in my life and to let my light shine bright and to be a living example of my beliefs.
• This being said, Let me give you a little background about myself.

-         My beautiful wife Carina and I have been proud members of this church for about the last 5 years.

-         In that time we have been blessed with 3 amazing children: Abbey, Avery, and Nicholas.  They are constant reminders to us of the importance of living a purposeful and just life.

-         My religious background is probably similar to many of you.  I grew up Roman Catholic and attended Catholic school for 8 years of my life.  Interestingly enough when I look back on my life for the most part I’ve attended church all along.  The major difference in the past five years is that now I desire to go to church whereas before I felt an obligation to go to church.  Its amazing in what that difference can make regarding the message or lessons I leave church with. 

• My wife and I first came to this church for the baptism of a relative’s child.  I don’t think that we were actively church shopping but that 1^st service we attended was pretty powerful.  We went home and discussed what we just experienced.  Before we knew it we were sitting in a new members class and meeting with Gordon.  Since that time I have tried to involve myself with different church activities.
• Missions Committee - I have been a member of the missions committee for the last few years and find it to be very rewarding.

-         I am our church’s Habitat for Humanity point person.  This means that I organize our church’s participation in this hands on local mission.  Currently we 5-10 volunteers from our church go out to a worksite on the 3^rd Saturday of each month.  Once we get there we join numerous other groups of do-gooders in the task of building affordable housing.  As a volunteer we do everything from roofing to painting or framing to installing doors and windows.  This is a great experience that I recommend everyone try at some point.

-         I also coordinate AmeriCares Homefront Day here in Southington.  This happens the first Saturday in May every year.  In years past our long standing partnership with St. Paul’s has grown to include Plantsville Congregational as well as Mary Our Queen.  We now call this interfaith group Southington Faith Community.  This is a 1 day home makeover blitz that often involves up to 100 volunteers performing virtually all tasks necessary to spruce of a home.  We’ve put on new roofs, redone floors, painted just about everything, and last year replaced 15+ windows.  This is another great way for the average person to come out and help their neighbor in some way.  Not to mention that it’s a lot of fun.

-         Sitting on the missions committee and working on Habitat and AmeriCares has given me a forum to meet numerous different people from all over.  I love this especially since everyone is collectively working to help people in need.  It is truly amazing what a group of dedicated individuals can do.

-         About 2 years ago, on the eve of finding out that my wife and I were pregnant with our 2^nd child I jumped on a plane and flew to Mexico.  I went on the mission/education trip to Cuernavaca with Gordon and about 20 strangers.  These strangers were people I had seen around church but I didn’t really know any of them.  This journey of making new friends and experiencing all of what Mexico had to offer was amazing.  To learn about poverty, culture, and the human experience was profound.  The activities and experiences that were shared among the group paved the way for friendships that will last forever.  This is a truly powerful trip that I strongly recommend to anyone and everyone.   

• Seeds of Hope - Just recently I have begun attending Seeds of Hope meetings.  I have always been interested in learning more about this group and their work for peace and justice but you know how it is – I was always too busy.  Well I’ve cleared a spot in my all important schedule and now this is just something I do.

-         In the last few months I have been working with a small group on a project that years ago I never would have foreseen my self doing.  This project is the one that has just recently been brought to everyone’s attention:  Our Church becoming an open and affirming church.  This basically means that once adopted our church will have a vibrant and living welcoming statement that embraces all the children of God and welcomes them to be part of our church.   Wow that’s pretty profound but even throughout the process of research, discussion, and drafting a proposal I found myself asking Why am I doing this?  I’m just an average Joe who has a very good life.  I don’t recall ever being truly discriminated against or having to live differently for who I am.  Then it became clear.  This isn’t just about ME.  This is about our neighbors whom I’m called to love. 

-         This leads me to a little story.  I work in 2 of Hartford’s toughest high schools and during my short 6 years in these colorful places I have seen and live daily with many injustices and inequities.  These unfortunate events and situations are almost always avoidable and often caused by my neighbors whom I’m called to love.  This brings me to my morning ritual:  Due to construction at Hartford Public High School staff has to park some distance away in a state employee lot.  Every morning as I prepare for my walk to the school I pass by an unknown co-workers car.  On the bumper of this car is a bumper sticker that reads ‘Evil Thrives When Good People Do Nothing.’  For some time I would just walk by everyday and think about it for a moment.  Then as time went by that moment began to extend and eventually that statement was in my head throughout the day.  I started to think maybe it’s not just the word Evil that makes sense but that other words can fit into this statement that aren’t as strong as evil.  But for me the statement that was most appropriate for my life’s travels became:  Nothing happens when good people do nothing.  This made so much sense for the countless people in my world who say things like “Things just are the way they are.  What can I do?  or  Its not my job – someone else will do it.”

-         This leads me to where I stand now.  My mantra has become – I strive to do what I can to make things better.  This may be as simple as a meaningful “Hi, how are you doing today?” to the clerk at the store or a thank you to the person bagging my groceries.  Hopefully it will be much more than this.

-         The question that I ask myself is “How do I know that I’m doing good or even better – doing better – than last year, last week, or even yesterday.”  For me it’s my comfort level.  Change makes me uncomfortable.  Its very easy to run through my daily routine but add some changes and discomfort is quick to set in.

-         I am learning to be a better listener.  As a talker I often find myself cutting in with my opinion or story

-         I am learning to take the narrow road and not follow the crowd without question.

-         I am learning that the quantity of stuff does not define the quality of a person. 

-         I am learning that for every single thing that I cram into my schedule I’m bumping something else right out. 

-         I am learning that rest and relaxation are essential.  Most things can wait.

-         I am continuing to learn what generations of mothers have been saying for years “Treat other people as you want to be treated.”  This works!   I use it in school with the kids who are viewed as the throw away trouble makers.  These kids can turn around.  It’s amazing what positive words and acknowledgement can do.

-         I am learning that time is far more precious than wealth, status, or possessions. 

-         I am learning that systemic change takes time but more importantly I personally can make a difference.  If people see me picking up litter on the floor maybe they’ll think twice about littering.  Maybe they’ll even pick up a piece of litter themselves.  If people see me working hard to make others lives just a little bit better then maybe they’ll join me and together we can make their lives a lot a bit better.  We have to let our light shine.