What Are You Doing to Make Caring Contagious?

Since the founding of Community Renewal in 1994, all of us have quietly invested our lives in actively and intentionally reconnecting with our neighbors in acts of kindness and concern. We have come to know who lives next door and down the street again. We have shared in good times and in times of sorrow with each other. We have helped each other whatever our needs have been. And we have grown strong together in every way. 

Then, as the years passed, and we continued to grow in number and in dedication to one another, we began to link arms with other neighborhoods. We have seen powerful and life-changing bonds of friendship grow between rich and poor folks, black and white and brown folks, liberal and conservative folks, and amazingly young and old folks. All of us united as precious persons knowing that there is no such thing as a lesser person. All of us seen together as beautiful treasured children of our Loving Creator.

Our natural caring for one another as individuals, has become organized and nurtured citywide by a dedicated team of full time nourishers, Community Renewal, and is now a model for other cities. Our community-wide method of love is not new, but how we have mobilized the power of our caring connections with one another is unique. Our nation has been noticing and watching what we do here to care for each other across all lines of diversity. 

Now, in this present crisis, we must take this light of loving care, and put it on a stand for all to see. We must demonstrate the real and fundamental truth that love is stronger than fear, and that caring is even more contagious than corona. You and I can show the way. And we will step out together as we share ways of caring for each and for all in creative and power-filled ways. The nation is watching. We can show the way for hope to win the day in this crisis time.

Some of us may fall ill. Some of us may perish. But ALL of us can love and care in the days ahead of us. Together we will insure that dark days will not produce dark hearts. Together we will demonstrate that the lowest of times can prompt our living for the Highest of Causes, that of Loving Our Neighbors as We Love Ourselves. And this decision and devotion to Care for Each Other will light the path for our children and their children as a map of caring to follow in the days and years to come. You and I can teach this way to live. And it is the way of Loving Care for Every Single Person. By so living now, our generation can win tomorrow for all future generations to become a new humanity filled with loving kindness for one and all. 

I am asking each of you and all of you to now renew your commitment to care. Take a moment just now and consciously pledge, “I WILL Care.” Now commit to be contagious! Ask YOUR friends and your neighbors to make this same pledge! Reach out and reconnect with your neighbors and friends. Pledge to do all the caring acts you can. See how fast Love will spread! We are made for Love! It is in the very fabric of our being!

I choose to be truly contagious in my caring. And I know that you do too. After all, we have a nation and a world to renew in Love. Please share with me and all of us your commitment to care by letting us know what you are doing to make caring contagious with your neighbors and friends. If you have not done so, then get your friends and neighbors to join the “We Care Team” by going to our website, www.communityrenewal.us. YES! Caring IS Contagious! 

God bless you all!

Mack McCarter

(Column from 2020)

You can join this movement at: www.communityrenewal.us/wecare/