Let there be light.
This quote from Genesis marks a significant event – the creation of light in the midst of darkness. Regardless of belief, or lack thereof, bringing light into the darkness seems to be a universal human impulse. As winter approaches, with its shorter days and longer nights, it’s no wonder that major religious and cultural holidays focus on the importance of light. Christmas, Hannukah, Diwali, and Kwanzaa all incorporate some form of light in their celebrations. Coloured lights, candles, oil lamps, lanterns, and fireworks help to keep the darkness at bay as we await the arrival of longer days in the spring.
There is, however, a metaphoric darkness that coloured lights won’t dispel. It’s the darkness of poverty, ignorance, indifference, and violence. That kind of darkness requires a different kind of light, the kind of light that is found in abundance within CFUW St. Catharines.
November’s meeting emphasized for me how much light our club brings into the world. We heard about the efforts of some of our members in sponsoring a Syrian family and the many positive results of those efforts. We heard about the upcoming candlelight vigil on December 6 to commemorate the fourteen women whose lives were lost to violence at the École Polytechnique. We heard about plans for our annual Holiday Auction, which raises money for our charitable fund. So much of what we do as a club – providing scholarships, donating to local charities, putting together hygiene kits, knitting ‘knockers’ – helps to lift some of the darkness in the lives of others.
It’s important to remember that however bright our club’s collective light may be, it’s made up of the unique light of each of our members. We are a club of strong, skilled women, with many talents to contribute. It’s those combined talents that allow us to impact our community so effectively. The more of us who shine our lights, who don’t, as the saying goes, hide their light under a bushel, the brighter and more far-reaching our collective light will be.
As winter’s darkness descends upon us, I look forward to basking in the light of our members. Not only do we bring light to our community, we also bring light to each other. The joy we get from our interest groups will brighten the dark season ahead. The friendships we share will help to sustain us, especially when times are tough. Our upcoming Festive dinner will be a joyous, light-filled event, and the Holiday Auction will give us a chance to celebrate the many talents, the unique lights, of our members.
I would like to extend to all of you my best wishes as we enter the festive season. However you celebrate the holidays, may the warm light of family and friends illuminate the darkness, and bring you much joy throughout the winter ahead.