Submitted by Lopez Island Family Resource Center
Compassion Lopez is a group of individuals and organizations dedicated to strengthening compassion on Lopez. There has been lots of tension in our country and on Lopez with recent elections. The goal is to bring our community together around shared values and learn more about what is important to each other.
Activities are being planned to offer fun and creative ways to amplify the existing compassion, build upon what is working in our Lopez Community, inspire us to get out and meet new people, increase our understanding about each other, bring more compassion to our daily lives, and improve everyone’s well-being.
Events in January 2018 will be our second set of community-wide activities. We will be honoring Martin Luther King, Jr., with a theme of social justice. We are inspired by his efforts and words which are powerful tools to change the world using his endless wisdom, insight, and understanding – guiding all of us to work for what we believe in.
“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”; “Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into a friend.”;
“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?”; “The time is always right to do what is right.”
Come join us at these events. On Friday, Jan. 12, there will be a sing-a-long event with social justice-themed songs led by Bob Gerfy, Rhea Miller, Sharon Abreu, Michael Hurwicz, Nick and Susie Teague and other talented local musicians.
Saturday, Jan. 13 there will be a screening of the documentary about the “IF PROJECT” which follows the lives of incarcerated women and demonstrates the power we can have on each other’s lives, followed by conversations with Seattle Police Detective Kim Bogucki, who co-founded the project.
Sunday, Jan. 14 there will be fun, kids friendly, arts and crafts, music and activities for the “We Love the Salish Sea” Project led by Kai Sanburn; and a “Be Connected, Be Strong and Be Compassionate” Workshop with dessert led by Brenda Asterino.
Monday, Jan. 15, there will be a story-telling and music event with lunch led by Ed Sheridan.
Thursday, Jan. 18 at the Locavore community dinner at Lopez School, there will be a screening of a video made by 6th-grade students about their new peer mediation program and copies of “Lobos Print” available, featuring high school journalist articles on social justice.
Times and locations will be posted on Lopez Rocks. During this time, there will also be Random Acts of Kindness Jars at businesses on the island. Take time to write down something kind you have seen someone do. They will be collected and posted online on Lopez Rocks and the LIFRC website.
For more information or to help out, contact Barbara Gurley, at the Lopez Island Family Resource Center at barbara@lifrc.org or 360-468-4117.
