February 28, 2021
February 28, 2021
From Sharon Monday:
I wish to extend my deep sympathy to the family of Claire Szoke and to the Unitarian Universalist Champaign Urbana Community who lost a dear family member and community member in February.
I am grateful for the rich conversations and experiences I shared with Claire and for her example of faithful service at Channing-Murray and in the Champaign-Urbana community. I first met Claire when she was an active member of the CU Sanctuary movement. She helped to nurture this grassroots endeavor to provide hospitality and a witness for our sisters and brothers fleeing the violence in Central America. Claire never waivered in her commitment to immigrant justice; the last time I saw Claire was at a protest at the Urbana courthouse in the summer of 2019 to speak out and give witness to the injustice of detention of immigrants. Although compromised in her physical ability at this time, she stood tall in her integrity and advocacy for immigrants.
The deep conversations with Claire began in the fireside room at Channing-Murray when a graduate student, Michelle, approached Claire about forming a women’s support group in or around the year 2000. Claire in her open-hearted manner encouraged and fully participated in the conversations which involved indigenous wisdom to guide our process and experience. I was a young mother at the time and was most grateful for the far ranging yet deeply personal ways in which we explored women’s spirituality and experiences.
Claire invited me to participate at Channing-Murray as a board member and a guest speaker for some of her Sunday Spirituality sessions. We would often have impromptu lunches together at the Red Herring in which we would share dreams and projects. It would often result in her wide-eyed enthusiastic response to an event to be sponsored at Channing-Murray where we were in a life-giving partnership. A few of the many projects we worked together included Fellowship of Reconciliation workshops on non-violence trainings, the Dances of Universal Peace and Social Justice Education.
Claire loved tenderly especially her beloved daughter Kathy and her family, worked for justice for people denied their dignity and opened wide the doors of Channing-Murray to many people and expressions of spirituality, creative arts and explorations on what it means to be human. She was a true community partner and collaborator in the work of justice. I will miss her loving presence and model of the long distant runner for justice. May Claire’s light and wisdom continue to guide us and speak to and in our hearts.
With Deep Love and Respect, Sharon Monday
I wish to extend my deep sympathy to the family of Claire Szoke and to the Unitarian Universalist Champaign Urbana Community who lost a dear family member and community member in February.
I am grateful for the rich conversations and experiences I shared with Claire and for her example of faithful service at Channing-Murray and in the Champaign-Urbana community. I first met Claire when she was an active member of the CU Sanctuary movement. She helped to nurture this grassroots endeavor to provide hospitality and a witness for our sisters and brothers fleeing the violence in Central America. Claire never waivered in her commitment to immigrant justice; the last time I saw Claire was at a protest at the Urbana courthouse in the summer of 2019 to speak out and give witness to the injustice of detention of immigrants. Although compromised in her physical ability at this time, she stood tall in her integrity and advocacy for immigrants.
The deep conversations with Claire began in the fireside room at Channing-Murray when a graduate student, Michelle, approached Claire about forming a women’s support group in or around the year 2000. Claire in her open-hearted manner encouraged and fully participated in the conversations which involved indigenous wisdom to guide our process and experience. I was a young mother at the time and was most grateful for the far ranging yet deeply personal ways in which we explored women’s spirituality and experiences.
Claire invited me to participate at Channing-Murray as a board member and a guest speaker for some of her Sunday Spirituality sessions. We would often have impromptu lunches together at the Red Herring in which we would share dreams and projects. It would often result in her wide-eyed enthusiastic response to an event to be sponsored at Channing-Murray where we were in a life-giving partnership. A few of the many projects we worked together included Fellowship of Reconciliation workshops on non-violence trainings, the Dances of Universal Peace and Social Justice Education.
Claire loved tenderly especially her beloved daughter Kathy and her family, worked for justice for people denied their dignity and opened wide the doors of Channing-Murray to many people and expressions of spirituality, creative arts and explorations on what it means to be human. She was a true community partner and collaborator in the work of justice. I will miss her loving presence and model of the long distant runner for justice. May Claire’s light and wisdom continue to guide us and speak to and in our hearts.
With Deep Love and Respect, Sharon Monday
