Martin Luther King Day of Service

The meeting in the meetinghouse on Martin Luther King Day is always memorable for me.  I can still remember the poem, "Your Rent is Due"  read by then AFS senior, Reeci Botts last year.  The meeting began this year with smooth and soulful music performed by a few of our own AFS musicians and then out of the silence rose the voice of Dr. King in the meetinghouse telling us to do service. He spoke of how anyone can make a difference and anyone can do service. Service is a great equalizer. Our hearts open when we perform service and we begin to feel connected with others.  In that spirit the brownies went to work on a cookie making project for families in need. The girls measured, poured, mixed, shaped and decorated through about 6 batches of cookies. I've included a copy of the poem written by Reeci below.  Enjoy!

Make your own free slideshow Your Rent is Due by Reeci Botts "Service is the rent we pay for the privilege of living on this earth" This planet we take for granted but God only made so many homes And rooms Look who he would choose To have this opportunity Yes, you and me So lets join in unity To give back in thanks What we owe to him What we know, to him Is expected Reflected in our service Is our hearts That long to connect with other hearts Yes, it is time to start lending a helping hand To each other My brother Of this land Will you bend over backwards To help that man Or build that dam Mentor those children Or help build that building ? Can you find it inside of you? Because your rent is due. We do not live here for free Green paper Don't please our creator Yes, you can hand it to man But an insult it would be To place cash in God's hand You owe him service to your planet You owe him a healing bandage To mend the problems of our community So lets all join in unity It is our duty Our responsibility To do good deeds Give to those in need Plant seeds of positivity Give possibilities Of a better life To society I find in me The ability To give back What others lack Can you find that In you? Because, my friend Your rent is due. We are all connected by this Earth So lets serve Do we truly deserve What our spot is worth? I feel a calling in my soul Telling me I am not whole unless I can console Those hurting Those sick Those who cannot pay rent Look at these problems Longing for problem solvers And lifes cycle is a revolver What you put out Always comes back to you Yes, my friend your rent is due. For that young girl with cancer Who always dreamed of being a dancer For that young man in prison Who wishes he could have lived life different For that lady down the street Who pleads on her knees For a savior Will you come and save her? Will you give Will you share Will you open your heart In care Will you fulfill your duty To God and your fellow brothers? Will you help another? Will you live up to your expectations? Because God is waiting Tell me, my neighbor What would you do? Because, my friend, your rent is due.