Recently I felt compelled to write letters. And I still feel compelled to. After such a moving event I feel that it is necessary to make sure others can experience this event as I have or at least learn a lesson from this event.
Recently a movie came out on Lifetime with the title "Prayers for Bobby." This movie is very moving and informative. It gives one the perspective of a family and more so, a mother's perspective of how to handle a person such as myself--gay. Seeing this movie had a great deal of parallelisms to my life. Seeing a mother and the church condemn her child because of who he is just rips my heart to shreds! This movie gives an accurate and realistic perspective of how one person can affect a young person's life, especially in the reconciliation stage in life. Because this movie does such a good job of portraying how a young person can be affected, I decided to write a letter to each aunt in my extended family, the campus pastor at school, and my vicar back home. This post will contain the letter to the campus pastor at school...for the sake of the school's image (and we know how important this image can be; so much so I could get seriously reprimanded for posting the name in any bad light) I have decided to leave the name out. For some of you though, you will know which school I am talking about.
So here goes, read the letter and pay close attention to the quote at the end of the letter! It is the most memorable quote I have ever seen, certainly worth remembering! If I have ever carved anything into my memory, this quote is something that is etched permanently to my memory.
Thursday, January 28, 2009
Dear Pastor Smith,
I am writing you this letter as part of the movie I am sending you. I am sure you know some details about my life that you have found out through fellow staff members or fellow students. It does not bother me that you know. I actually am glad you know. However, that is not the purpose of this note. The purpose is to show you a view many in my situation have experienced. It is also to show you that there are just more than people like myself that are struggling to get the acceptance of their parents. There are many youth in the world that have something to say, but they are too scared to say it. They are scared because of what the church says about their lives. They are scared about what their parents and families are going to say when they tell them. This movie accurately portrays how one of the many subjects these youth are afraid to tell their parents about, affects their lives and in turn affects their family’s lives.
I personally think this movie is very moving and portrays how the need for social acceptance and love, or the lack there of, effects youth and their family’s lives. I also believe that, because it portrays this situation so well, it should be used as an example in some sort of psychology, sociology, or religion class. Everyone should have the opportunity to see this movie. Outside of the issue portrayed in this movie, it can be used as a template for how other problems can affect these people.
I now ask you to watch this movie. It is called Prayers for Bobby. If you decide to watch this movie please keep an open mind and an open heart. As a Pastor of the Lutheran Church, I feel it is important that you see it and use the lessons presented in this movie to further benefit your calling as a presenter of the Lord’s word to God’s children. Please feel free to contact me and discuss this with me. I would like nothing more to help people, particularly young people, who are in my situation or a situation similar to mine.
In conclusion, a quote that I think is particularly important to remember when watching this movie and in everyday life:
“Before you echo Amen in your home or place of worship, think and remember. A child is listening.” -Mary Griffith
Your friend in Christ,
Jeffrey Mayefske
Recently a movie came out on Lifetime with the title "Prayers for Bobby." This movie is very moving and informative. It gives one the perspective of a family and more so, a mother's perspective of how to handle a person such as myself--gay. Seeing this movie had a great deal of parallelisms to my life. Seeing a mother and the church condemn her child because of who he is just rips my heart to shreds! This movie gives an accurate and realistic perspective of how one person can affect a young person's life, especially in the reconciliation stage in life. Because this movie does such a good job of portraying how a young person can be affected, I decided to write a letter to each aunt in my extended family, the campus pastor at school, and my vicar back home. This post will contain the letter to the campus pastor at school...for the sake of the school's image (and we know how important this image can be; so much so I could get seriously reprimanded for posting the name in any bad light) I have decided to leave the name out. For some of you though, you will know which school I am talking about.
So here goes, read the letter and pay close attention to the quote at the end of the letter! It is the most memorable quote I have ever seen, certainly worth remembering! If I have ever carved anything into my memory, this quote is something that is etched permanently to my memory.
Thursday, January 28, 2009
Dear Pastor Smith,
I am writing you this letter as part of the movie I am sending you. I am sure you know some details about my life that you have found out through fellow staff members or fellow students. It does not bother me that you know. I actually am glad you know. However, that is not the purpose of this note. The purpose is to show you a view many in my situation have experienced. It is also to show you that there are just more than people like myself that are struggling to get the acceptance of their parents. There are many youth in the world that have something to say, but they are too scared to say it. They are scared because of what the church says about their lives. They are scared about what their parents and families are going to say when they tell them. This movie accurately portrays how one of the many subjects these youth are afraid to tell their parents about, affects their lives and in turn affects their family’s lives.
I personally think this movie is very moving and portrays how the need for social acceptance and love, or the lack there of, effects youth and their family’s lives. I also believe that, because it portrays this situation so well, it should be used as an example in some sort of psychology, sociology, or religion class. Everyone should have the opportunity to see this movie. Outside of the issue portrayed in this movie, it can be used as a template for how other problems can affect these people.
I now ask you to watch this movie. It is called Prayers for Bobby. If you decide to watch this movie please keep an open mind and an open heart. As a Pastor of the Lutheran Church, I feel it is important that you see it and use the lessons presented in this movie to further benefit your calling as a presenter of the Lord’s word to God’s children. Please feel free to contact me and discuss this with me. I would like nothing more to help people, particularly young people, who are in my situation or a situation similar to mine.
In conclusion, a quote that I think is particularly important to remember when watching this movie and in everyday life:
“Before you echo Amen in your home or place of worship, think and remember. A child is listening.” -Mary Griffith
Your friend in Christ,
Jeffrey Mayefske
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