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Rotary and Religion

November 27, 2018 By Don Doman

When I first joined the Rotary Club of Tacoma #8 we had a number of members who were part of the religious community. At each meeting one of them would give an invocation to start off the meeting. We had pastors Earnest Brazill, Joseph Boles, and Sherman Davis, Rabbi Richard Rosenthal, and Father Dan Webber. I think the three pastors were honorary, while Rosenthal and Webber were regular members.

Although I am not religious, I enjoyed their weekly messages as well as what they did for our community. I think just them being involved in Rotary connected them to us, and us to them. I think religions bind people together and remind us that we are all one.

I think religions bind people together and remind us that we are all one.

I always enjoyed Ernie. He was down to earth and came to the Pacific Northwest during World War II to work in the shipyards of Bremerton. He helped quiet members and friends of his congregation during the summer days of unrest in 1967. Most of all I liked his wisdom and his shared advice on how to stay married. It all depended upon two simple words, “Yes, Ma’am.”

Reverend Boles always gave the same invocation as he blessed those who grew the food, those who picked the food, those how transported the food . . . it went on and on each time until he arrived at prepared the food. He always brought a smile to our faces and numerous lips repeating his words. I recently enjoyed his son, Eric who spoke at the Transportation Club of Tacoma about coaching, training, and inspiring. I can see Joseph in Eric . . . except Joseph had more hair and a larger mustache. The easiness of delivery, the use of humor, and the friendliness were recognizable.

I knew Sherman better than the others. He and his wife Curly embraced the use of video. I traveled all around Tacoma and even down to Portland videotaping important members of the Church of God in Christ. Their church was located close to the Tacoma Public Library at 1119 South Altheimer Street. I loved the music and singing at the church. Although, he generally appeared serious, I had seen photos of him in the army and as a young man. He had an easy laugh and a broad smile.

What I most remember about Rabbi Rosenthal involved a Rotary meeting where the program was a local comic. Some people were offended by her jokes and comments. Dick was at the far end of the head table. He sat through the entire program looking off into the distance. His body might have been at the head table, but his mind was miles away. I remembered that luncheon last year when I visited Temple Beth El to experience a Jewish blue grass group. In the hallway, I stood and looked at the painting of our Rotary rabbi and smiled.

Father Dan had been a tail gunner during World War II, which probably gave him adequate training to rule the roost as president at Bellarmine Prep. He was a member of the Society of Jesus, a Roman Catholic order of priests and brothers founded half a millennium ago by the soldier-turned-mystic Ignatius Loyola. Dan was the most active of our religious members. We both sat on the program committee. He joined Rotary in 1981 and was still a member when he passed away.

Although I’ve enjoyed many of our invocations by regular members of Rotary, I have missed the connection to our religious community. I would love to see honorary membership being extended to those who represent the different churches, the synagogues, and mosques of all faiths.

 

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About Don Doman

Don Doman: Professional writer and author. Ideas and Training - Human Resources/business training products for modern business. PublicDoman - Video production, internet video, website construction and online marketing and social media. NW Adventures - Fun places to visit in the Pacific Northwest: Great Restaurants, Lodging, and People. The Doman Directories - Business directory listings for many categories in Tacoma, Pierce County, and Washington State. FindItWashington - Local search engine for Washington State.

Comments

  1. Ed says

    November 28, 2018 at 9:16 am

    The image used to illustrate your bonding theme looks more like four religions wresting power from the other.

    • Don Doman says

      November 28, 2018 at 9:27 am

      Ed,
      Thanks for writing. Interpretations vary. Usually images add to the text. I’m sorry this one got in your way. I hope you enjoyed the article regardless.
      Don

  2. Robert Enquist MD says

    November 28, 2018 at 12:18 pm

    I too enjoyed the religious connection when I was a member in Bremerton. I did not appreciate some who closed their prayers in the name of Christ etc. which offended some our Jewish brothers. should be addressed at the club or local level.

  3. Don Doman says

    November 28, 2018 at 12:30 pm

    Robert,
    Thanks for reading and for writing.
    Indeed. We had the same issue “in Jesus’ name.” Now, I think I would just let them do their own thing . . . especially if we could bring in an Iman. Different names for god doesn’t bother me. What do you think?
    Thanks, again for reading and commenting.
    Don

  4. Fred Moisio says

    November 28, 2018 at 12:31 pm

    Don, I so agree with you and missing the clergy in our club. I tried hard to recruit some religious leaders during my term as Rotary Club president, but found it difficult to get commitments. I really miss those leaders of faith. Gave our club superb grounding.

  5. Don Doman says

    November 28, 2018 at 6:06 pm

    Fred,
    Thanks for reading and for commenting.
    Perhaps, the tide has turned and it’s time to address tolerance and good will toward men . . . and women. We still need to have lunch . . . or at least coffee. When even Mike Hansch says this would bring him to a meeting . . . there must be something in there that reaches people.
    Thanks, again for reading and for writing in.
    Don

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