Letters to the Editor – April 13, 2016
Was the Golden Rule shown to this stranger?
I am embarrassed and ashamed for you! I attend a weekly Church Supper for the fellowship and also the ease of not cooking. For the small price of $6.00 per person we are provided a very nice meal that is catered by an excellent local restaurant. The food is always good and we are surrounded by what I have always considered nice “church going” people and families. Men, women and children of all ages attend these weekly gatherings. Last evening was no different.
After saying our prayer of thanks before being served our meal last evening I noticed there was a gentleman that had obviously come in “off the street”. Why do I say obviously? Because he was a different color, carried a gym bag that was stuffed and he did not have a very fresh smell to him. I am sure he was homeless and had all of his belongings in his bag.
However as we made our way to be served I noticed none of the men in the church were gathering to welcome him and no one else was either. So, my friends and I directed him to line up in front of us – he would not let go of his bag – those serving did not welcome him either – he had the shakes. I am very sure this was from being hungry. I know. Still no one spoke.
We then asked if he would like to sit with us at our large table. He sat without saying anything and ate with gusto. No one else chose to sit at our table with him there. No one else said one word to this man or us before we left. When we left- (we had another meeting we had to attend) he was still sitting at that large table sipping on his water.
Were you mad he didn’t pay? I would have gladly paid if this is the issue but he just kind of appeared so I still am not sure who he came in with or when he came in. Were you mad he didn’t smell so fresh? Is this the way we are supposed to treat others? Is this the right way? I think not. I find this so disturbing that I found it difficult to sleep. You volunteer your services in the Soup Kitchen. Is this where he is supposed to be? You collect water and supplies and send to Columbia. You collect supplies for the orphanage. You raise money for the youth to go on nice trips. You tithe, you write checks and you think you do well by doing all these things. However, when it comes down to one on one you can’t welcome a homeless man into your Church Hall or pray with him for a minute. You can’t speak to him. He didn’t bite or talk much. He just needed a meal. A kind word would have been so nice. Membership is down in all churches nationwide. Is this not the “kind” of members we want in our churches?
I have been hungry. I have never been homeless, so that makes me very blessed. I have needed others and so I have been blessed to have others in my life in times of need. I do hope you never have to be hungry-it is an absolute horrible gut wrenching feeling. I am sure this individual has probably made some poor choices in his life that has led to this lifestyle, but who are you to Judge? I will not quote Bible verses or scripture. That is not my style. However, I do TRY to live each day by having the Moral Courage to do the right thing as often as I can. Integrity is everything.
Maureen Murphy
Hartsville S.C.
Editor’s note: After reading this editorial, all I can say is… pull out your Bible and read Hebrews 13:2.
Bravo to Maureen Murphy for sharing this, and being kind to this hungry man.
To the Citizens of Darlington Ward 2
I thank you, thank you, thank you for your overwhelming support in my election to Darlington City Council. I am truly honored and humbled by the trust you have placed in me. I will work tirelessly on your behalf to address the challenges facing Darlington Ward 2. I am committed to working with Mayor Hines and our city council members in securing lasting and meaningful improvements in Ward 2 and to “Move Darlington Forward.”
This is the beginning of positive changes for our community, and again I thank you for the opportunity to serve as your City Council Representative. I give a special thank you to my awesome family and friends for all of their encouragement and unwavering support.
Feel assured that at all times I will put God first, and will represent you in the moral manner worthy of the citizens of Ward 2.
Sincerely,
Elaine Reed
Darlington Ward 2
City Councilwoman
Darlington, S.C
Darlington Pride
What makes you proud to live in Darlington? A history dating back to 1835? Living in a town just a short drive from the mountains or the beach? The small town atmosphere many might consider like TV’s Mayberry? The Track Too Tough To Tame?
Spring is a time to take pride in our community, to get out that list of honey-dos, and to clean out the clutter in our homes. When we take the time to take pride in our homes and our town, we create an image that, rich or poor, we respect ourselves and deserve others’ respect.
When you see a piece of trash on the ground, how does that make you feel about a place? Not great. Like people don’t care enough to clean up after themselves. That’s an attitude we can do something about without a lot of money, just a bit of heart.
One group has put in countless hours into a variety of beautification activities in town, including the Trees on the Square, the Psillos Garden on North Main Street, and the Rose Garden on Pearl Street. That group, the Kalmia Garden Study Club, started Clean Up Darlington Day in the spring to get the Public Square ready for the tourists who pass through during the warmer months and in the fall to get ready for the S.C. Sweet Potato Festival crowds.
For several years, the Kalmia Garden Study Club has worked with the City of Darlington Beautification Board to continue to grow these clean up days, which have blossomed from a dozen or so participants to nearly 50 at times. The reach of projects has extended beyond the Square to Wells Park and other areas as the number of volunteers allowed. This year, the Darlington High School Key Club even held its own Community Clean Up on April 9 to freshen up the school grounds. That’s #DarlingtonPride.
We all love our town, and we invite you to come out this Saturday morning, from 8 a.m. to noon, to put some finishing touches on the Square, Wells Park, Liberty Lane, City Lane, and Williamson Park. Activities will include deadheading pansies, weeding beds, putting out pine straw, collecting litter, and trimming bushes. If you can’t make it to our event on Saturday, we encourage you to take some time this season to clean up your yard, street, or neighborhood.
Thanks to Palmetto Pride and Keep South Carolina Beautiful, we have some extra supplies like gloves, vests, and trash bags.
We hope to see you Saturday morning!
Lisa Chalian-Rock
Chair of City Beautification Board
Info: 843-398-4000 x 103 or darlingtonplanner@gmail.com
Darlington, S.C.