October 1st, 1995
Walt and George start by discussing the launching of the Hilltop Neighborhood House daycare center. The Board had asked for a sponsorship from Immanuel Lutheran Church because it was important for daycare licensure. There is a tension between the identification as a Christian effort (because of the partnership with the Church) and the broad commitment to serve people of other faiths – or no faith – and that tension is born out in constructing a mission statement. The discussion is a good example of how words are put together to convey respect and love and not dismissal and exclusion. The discussion proceeds into the meaning of faith and its impact on global society. Walt also raised the issue of “equality” as a critical issue as the programs at Hilltop are developed… There will be a lot of pressure to be rigid about admission qualifications, which is not Project Neighbors style.
George steers the conversation back to the purpose of these conversations – “why do you do what you do?” Walt talks about the fact that his faith is what gives his life meaning; it has a beginning and an end and everything fits into that… Work, thinking, and words must all fit into that timeframe to contribute to that meaning… particularly in light of the increasing systemization of society. Walt shared a story about the return of Fuzzy Thurston to VU (he had been a star football player for Walt at Valparaiso University who then went to the Green Bay Packers) and his speech in which he singled out the impact that Walt had on him. This act (and others) brought Walt out of the corner in which he had always been relegated. Walt mused about the fact that no matter that he had enormous experience (race relations, Jacque Ellul), he had been given little credibility and the weekly conversations with George have been his only outlet. They talk about how to have real discussions on a larger level.
