Community Leaf-Laying Ceremony 6-23-12 in Lake City

More than 60 people came to the Seattle Mennonite Church in Lake City on Saturday, June 23rd to dedicate fourteen Leaves of Remembrance for beloved neighbors, friends and family members.

Because our  permit for permanent installation had not quite been completed, we did a ceremonial laying of the Leaves.  This was a powerful emotional experience, and the sense of community was profound.  All fourteen  names were read aloud, with a personal statement about each person.   Then each of the fourteen Leaves was laid on the ground by people who felt close to that person, as the names were spoken again.  Many times, Leaves were carried forward by two or more friends!

Finally, Sally Kinney of Temple Beth Am and the Homeless Remembrance Project Committee laid a small stone on each Leaf symbolizing the permanence of memory, speaking the name again, with the community responding, “May (his/her) name be a blessing.”

Friends came forward to share memories of people special to them.  More memories were shared around tables inside as the community “broke bread” together with a buffet provided by friends from the Seattle Mennonite Church and the Church of Latter Day Saints.

Our friend Rex Hohlbein has a lovely photo at his Facebook page, Homeless in Seattle.