Members of the Rainbow Elders joined Rocky Wallbaum Sunday morning as he assumed the task of being the Guest Speaker for this Second Sunday of Lent. Here is a summary of what Rocky had to say:
The Rainbow Elders began as a group of individuals meeting in 2017 on a couple of Friday nights a month. People there listened to what each person had to say and over the past months have become an amazing support network for LBGTQ@S+. People there come back as they share lessons learned over the years. They now meet formally at the Kerby Centre, supplying the goodies while members look after the program. They have an advertisement that pictures almost half of the volunteer members but as the months pass, so do their numbers grow. The Pride Parade 2019 was their biggest event.
Beginning their meeting with the question, "What's going on in your life", soon results in stories that are good and bad. The membership, sharing ideas and resources, offer support around issues like mobility and accommodation needs.
The Rainbow Elders have had a role in Camp Firefly which hosts individuals between ages of 14-24. It was there that they met Lindsay who has become a valuable resource with "Stepping Stones" for transgender youth.
Pride Week 2018, they hosted an Intergenerational Tea with Stepping Stones. At the end of the parade, they were tired but didn't leave but rather sat around discussing. Right now they are planning for their Spring Fling, April 27, 2019 and, later, Festivus - a festival for the rest of us - to be celebrated in November. For the last 18 months, they have been entertained, connected and well-supported by Calgarians. This morning, our visitors sat directly in front of the Sanctuary Choir then joined us downstairs at the PIE day.
.png)