The Cellar is a force for good in the world

glatt · 10-10-2020, 05:43 PM

I’ve been on the Mission and Outreach committee at my church for the last five years or so. It’s the group tasked with deciding how that community is going to do good in the world. We used to give money to a food pantry and fix up houses for little old ladies and things like that. We got a new priest two years ago, and she wanted us to really look at what it means to do good in the world, and examine what we were doing.

We read a bunch of books and talked about it a lot and basically came to the conclusion that the best thing you can do for others is to make relationships with them so that you can reach understanding and have empathy for one another. As a church, that’s really hard. Strangers stopping strangers, just to shake their hands, sounds good in a song, but really goes against human nature. We’re still trying to figure it out, but have at least started a partnership with a black church of another denomination to just have conversations. We still give money to the food pantry, because there is a need, but it’s really not the ideal way to be doing good in the world, because you injure the self esteem of people when you give them handouts.

So it’s with that lens that I am looking at the Cellar.

2020 has been lacking in an abundance of joyful moments for just about everyone, and that is reflected in the Cellar. Flint was abusive to an annoying new member and really took it too far, like he always does. He’s fully embroiled in the divisive politics of the world. It spills over here in the Cellar. Political discussions in the Cellar are pretty toxic right now. Worse than in previous election years, which have always been a little toxic.

Politics aside, I think this is a really good community and the regular members get a lot out of coming here. We make real connections. We are doing here what my Mission and Outreach committee has identified as being the most important thing.

Last week I fixed my car. I told my wife and daughter and they didn’t care much. I was excited about what I did and wanted to tell people who would care. Who would share in my victory. I came here and talked about it, and Dwellars sat with me. They read my little story and cared. There was empathy.

Think of all the troubled souls who have come here for comfort over the years and found it. And not just troubled souls. People who are happy and sharing their victories or their kids’ victories.

The Cellar is doing good work. Even if there is a lot of noise to look past.

BigV · 10-10-2020, 05:53 PM

I agree completely.

lumberjim · 10-10-2020, 06:35 PM

I told you guys about Ripley before I told my mom.

Gravdigr · 10-10-2020, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lumberjim

I told you guys about Ripley before I told my mom.

I thought about her just the other night.

glatt · 10-10-2020, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gravdigr

I thought about her just the other night.

I thought of her recently too.

You guys matter to me.

Gravdigr · 10-10-2020, 06:37 PM

I cannot count the times I have benefited from The Cellar and the people here.

And I thank each one of you.

Rhianne · 10-10-2020, 06:49 PM

And I remember when direct action by a member here saved the life of another that I think we all loved.

Gravdigr · 10-10-2020, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rhianne

And I remember when direct action by a member here saved the life of another that I think we all loved.

QFT.

Griff · 10-10-2020, 06:59 PM

This place is bigger than us all.

Gravdigr · 10-10-2020, 06:53 PM

Yep.

Not forgotten. Her nor the direct action.

Many thanks, sir.

monster · 10-10-2020, 07:04 PM

I just told another dwellar this is the only place I have felt comfortable talking about the things I need(ed) to talk about when beest... But it hasn't been the same Cellar recently, and the stuff that makes it unpleasant for me has multiplied significantly . So I get it, but I will miss it. Most of it.

I will not miss old threads being resurrected without purpose other than because the housebound are bored and don't have thought or empathy for those who went before.

I will miss the irreverence. And the judiciously limited use of the ban hammer. The wit. And the "Cellar Car" Spirit. That's what made it The Cellar.

jaminhealth · 10-10-2020, 07:06 PM

Interesting read Glatt, guess I just joined Cellar way way too late to get the good friendship and now since I'm the "annoying new member" I guess they teach that in your church work.

I think it was you who mentioned "no new members in a long time" and wonder why. And as I said I would have Never found it had one of your members had not invited me here....

I don't belong to any church ANYMORE, and don't need a church to teach me how to be decent to people...I came here with good intentions, and sure was shot down by so many. Peace out Glatt...

Not that it matters but I'm wondering what this ole new member is annoying to you?

glatt · 10-10-2020, 07:15 PM

I know my words were hurtful to you, and I’m sorry for that.

lumberjim · 10-10-2020, 07:46 PM

I just re-read the other lumberthing thread, and want to say thanks again for all of your support. I didn't want to bump that thread, so I'm saying it on this one.

I couldn't find that video her friend did until I saw it in there. I just heard her voice again, and saw her moving. Blessing.

Saved the video and now I have it.

I've learned to play that song, Masterpiece, and am going to play it right now. And maybe cry a little.

lumberjim · 10-10-2020, 08:04 PM

Huh. No tears. Somehow it didn't make me sad at all. Must have played it too many times.

10-10-2020, 05:43 PM	#1
glatt ™ Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Arlington, VA Posts: 27,717	The Cellar is a force for good in the world I’ve been on the Mission and Outreach committee at my church for the last five years or so. It’s the group tasked with deciding how that community is going to do good in the world. We used to give money to a food pantry and fix up houses for little old ladies and things like that. We got a new priest two years ago, and she wanted us to really look at what it means to do good in the world, and examine what we were doing. We read a bunch of books and talked about it a lot and basically came to the conclusion that the best thing you can do for others is to make relationships with them so that you can reach understanding and have empathy for one another. As a church, that’s really hard. Strangers stopping strangers, just to shake their hands, sounds good in a song, but really goes against human nature. We’re still trying to figure it out, but have at least started a partnership with a black church of another denomination to just have conversations. We still give money to the food pantry, because there is a need, but it’s really not the ideal way to be doing good in the world, because you injure the self esteem of people when you give them handouts. So it’s with that lens that I am looking at the Cellar. 2020 has been lacking in an abundance of joyful moments for just about everyone, and that is reflected in the Cellar. Flint was abusive to an annoying new member and really took it too far, like he always does. He’s fully embroiled in the divisive politics of the world. It spills over here in the Cellar. Political discussions in the Cellar are pretty toxic right now. Worse than in previous election years, which have always been a little toxic. Politics aside, I think this is a really good community and the regular members get a lot out of coming here. We make real connections. We are doing here what my Mission and Outreach committee has identified as being the most important thing. Last week I fixed my car. I told my wife and daughter and they didn’t care much. I was excited about what I did and wanted to tell people who would care. Who would share in my victory. I came here and talked about it, and Dwellars sat with me. They read my little story and cared. There was empathy. Think of all the troubled souls who have come here for comfort over the years and found it. And not just troubled souls. People who are happy and sharing their victories or their kids’ victories. The Cellar is doing good work. Even if there is a lot of noise to look past.

10-10-2020, 05:53 PM	#2
BigV Goon Squad Leader Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Seattle Posts: 27,063	I agree completely. __________________ Be Just and Fear Not.

10-10-2020, 06:35 PM	#3
lumberjim I can hear my ears Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 25,571	I told you guys about Ripley before I told my mom. __________________ This body holding me reminds me of my own mortality Embrace this moment, remember We are eternal, all this pain is an illusion ~MJKeenan

10-10-2020, 06:37 PM	#6
Gravdigr The Un-Tuckian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: South Central...KY that is Posts: 39,517	I cannot count the times I have benefited from The Cellar and the people here. And I thank each one of you. __________________ These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA, EPA, FBI, DEA, CDC, or FDIC. These statements are not intended to diagnose, cause, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. If you feel you have been harmed/offended by, or, disagree with any of the above statements or images, please feel free to fuck right off.

10-10-2020, 06:59 PM	#9
Griff still says videotape Join Date: Feb 2001 Posts: 26,813	This place is bigger than us all. __________________ If you would only recognize that life is hard, things would be so much easier for you. - Louis D. Brandeis

10-10-2020, 06:49 PM	#7
Rhianne Nearly done. Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Teetering on the edge. Posts: 1,134	And I remember when direct action by a member here saved the life of another that I think we all loved.

10-10-2020, 06:53 PM	#10
Gravdigr The Un-Tuckian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: South Central...KY that is Posts: 39,517	Yep. Not forgotten. Her nor the direct action. Many thanks, sir. __________________ These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA, EPA, FBI, DEA, CDC, or FDIC. These statements are not intended to diagnose, cause, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. If you feel you have been harmed/offended by, or, disagree with any of the above statements or images, please feel free to fuck right off.

10-10-2020, 07:04 PM	#11
monster I hear them call the tide Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Perpetual Chaos Posts: 30,852	I just told another dwellar this is the only place I have felt comfortable talking about the things I need(ed) to talk about when beest... But it hasn't been the same Cellar recently, and the stuff that makes it unpleasant for me has multiplied significantly . So I get it, but I will miss it. Most of it. I will not miss old threads being resurrected without purpose other than because the housebound are bored and don't have thought or empathy for those who went before. I will miss the irreverence. And the judiciously limited use of the ban hammer. The wit. And the "Cellar Car" Spirit. That's what made it The Cellar. __________________ The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity Amelia Earhart

10-10-2020, 07:06 PM	#12
jaminhealth Banned Join Date: Oct 2020 Location: Santa Monica CA Posts: 226	Interesting read Glatt, guess I just joined Cellar way way too late to get the good friendship and now since I'm the "annoying new member" I guess they teach that in your church work. I think it was you who mentioned "no new members in a long time" and wonder why. And as I said I would have Never found it had one of your members had not invited me here.... I don't belong to any church ANYMORE, and don't need a church to teach me how to be decent to people...I came here with good intentions, and sure was shot down by so many. Peace out Glatt... Not that it matters but I'm wondering what this ole new member is annoying to you?

10-10-2020, 07:15 PM	#13
glatt ™ Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Arlington, VA Posts: 27,717	I know my words were hurtful to you, and I’m sorry for that.

10-10-2020, 07:46 PM	#14
lumberjim I can hear my ears Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 25,571	I just re-read the other lumberthing thread, and want to say thanks again for all of your support. I didn't want to bump that thread, so I'm saying it on this one. I couldn't find that video her friend did until I saw it in there. I just heard her voice again, and saw her moving. Blessing. Saved the video and now I have it. I've learned to play that song, Masterpiece, and am going to play it right now. And maybe cry a little. __________________ This body holding me reminds me of my own mortality Embrace this moment, remember We are eternal, all this pain is an illusion ~MJKeenan

10-10-2020, 08:04 PM	#15
lumberjim I can hear my ears Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 25,571	Huh. No tears. Somehow it didn't make me sad at all. Must have played it too many times. __________________ This body holding me reminds me of my own mortality Embrace this moment, remember We are eternal, all this pain is an illusion ~MJKeenan

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