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10.27.05 Board vice chairman speaks on service Dr. E. Kate Stewart, professor of English at the University of Arkansas at Monticello and vice chairman of the Erskine Board of Trustees, spoke on "Reluctant Servanthood in a Selfish Culture" at Erskine College convocation Thursday. Her address was based on her own experience as well as on what she has observed on her campus and in her community. She said poor manners are evidence of a selfish culture. "I'm constantly amazed that so many people believe that I want to join their (cell phone) conversations," she said. Referring to James Collier's book, "The Rise of Selfishness in America," she noted that Collier sees disregard for traffic laws as an example of growing selfishness. "That's an interesting notion to ponder the next time we start to pull out in front of a car or run a red light so that we can get to our destination first," she said. Although Collier's book does not deal directly with the concept of service, "I see it there by implication," Stewart said. "We are so motivated by fulfilling our own desires that we no longer believe in self-sacrifice." Reflecting on her own experience, Stewart said, "I really hate to admit it, but I have been a reluctant servant in far too many circumstances." Some years ago when she was first called to service on the Erskine Board of Trustees, Stewart believed she had some gifts to contribute to the board. "I approached this work with zeal and enthusiasm." But when she was called to care for her ailing mother, who was suffering with Alzheimer's disease, she admits she embarked on "one of my most reluctant service roles" and "probably broke every rule in the book for being a caregiver." "Sometimes you may be called to unusual service," Stewart said, displaying a newspaper photo of "Momma Cat," whose owner had added a couple of baby squirrels to the cat's nursing litter. The spectacle of a mother cat caring for the young of another species is a reminder to Stewart that we are to respond to God's call, even when it does not suit us. "I can at least follow the example of Momma Cat," Stewart said. Citing several "reluctant servants" in the Old Testament, including Moses, Gideon, Jeremiah, Ezekiel and Jonah, Stewart noted that "they did not get out of doing the assignment" that God had for them. "The children of God know they're part of God's plan," she said. "Even reluctant servants are part of God's plan." Stewart said education at Erskine is "not only about educating your mind, it's educating your heart" and urged Erskine students to take advantage of service opportunities, noting that service need not be something "large and extraordinary." She told the story of a mother who took her children with her when she helped to fill packages with items for hurricane victims. "She wanted them to know that something as simple as packing up a box is service." Stewart received her Ph.D. from the University of Mississippi and has taught at the University of Arkansas at Monticello since 1988. Currently vice chairman of the Erskine Board of Trustees, she has served two previous terms on the Board, 1994-96 and 1998-2002. |
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