Rotarian Peter Dohr invited us to his "scared space" as our speaker during our last meeting.
Jean Bendix shared the opening words of inspiration
I wish I knew how we achieve the goal of world peace. My bumper sticker reads “Just Another Version of You.”. The sooner we agree that we’re just other versions of each other – we human beings – the sooner we will find some sense of world peace. By Norman Lear
Wellness updates: Alex Q’s mother in hospital; Pat Albrecht in emergency room
Guests: Yvonne Brantley of CBNA, Church Street branch & Pam Hannan
Thank you note from the Newark Police Department - Thanking Rotary for our support of the “Shop with a cop program”
Spelling Bee was a success. Thank you to the sponsors.
Adam O. – Community Service committee met Idea presented for Newark Rotary salutes the front line workers at the Newark Schools.
There will be a planning meeting at ARC of Wayne on 2/16. Notice will be sent to all Rotarians with details.
3/19 – Bowl-A-Thon fundraiser
3/12 – Working on offering the pancake breakfast again in mid-March. Details to follow
Interact – bottle & can drive for the month of March. Bring to Rotary or Doug Kent Bowling Lanes
Celebrating Rotary Anniversaries and Birthday’s
Marc & Holly Kreuser enjoyed some time awayLucina paid a fine for thinking someone took her Rotary badge and then finding it in her closet.
President Melissa participated in the Spelling Bee
Adam O. thanked the group for our positive and encouraging atmosphere
Michele McManus’s grandchildren did great on their respective sports teams, also had a couple of grandchildren diagnosed with COVID – all are OK
Ken George’s son had an accident while driving Ken’s truck. Michael is OK - the truck not so much.
Frank All’s grandson finished his undergrad at St. John Fisher and moving on to Dental School
Steve Mooney - went to Florida for a month. Had to take a diversion due to a COVID exposure, but made it safe and sound.
Speaker: Peter Dohr.
Introduction by Peter’s wife, Patti and read by Jean Bendix:
Patti is in California helping with their grandchildren: “Peter’s family teases him about his near obsession with birds, old coins and America’s funniest videos. Recently he has done a deep dive into Ancestry.com – tracing his roots, and those of his kids, back to the 1600’s. He is aptly named – Peter means The Rock. His family depends on him for guidance, love and grace. They are blessed to call him husband, Dad and Grandpa.
Peter shared that in his work with Catholic Charities, he is often invited into a person or family’s “sacred space” – a space where they are vulnerable and often wounded. He steps in with a loving calm – listening and honoring the trust they have placed in him. He invited our club to enter into his personal sacred space as he openly shared his story of his son Griffin when Griffin opened up and shared his sexual orientation with his parents. Peter shared that he and his wife felt many different emotions, but primarily unconditional love for their son.
Peter shared that he is willing to speak to anyone who has questions or who would just like to have a listening ear as they navigate similar experiences. Several club members then shared their personal stories of having children or siblings “come out” and how they, too, felt the only response for them was love – unconditional love.
Unfortunately, even in 2022, there are still folks who do not receive the same love from their friends and families when they reveal their own truths and Peter shared how his son’s friend was painfully rejected by his mother. Thank you Peter for your trust in us and for inviting us into your sacred space.