PERSPECTIVE FROM THE 19^TH HOLE: This is the title I chose for my personal blog, which is meant to give me an outlet for one of my favorite crafts – writing – plus to use an image from my favorite sport, golf. Out of college, my first job was as a reporter for the Daily Astorian in Astoria, Oregon, and I went on from there to practice writing in all of my professional positions, including as press secretary in Washington, D.C. for a Democrat Congressman from Oregon, as an Oregon state government manager in Salem and Portland, as press secretary for Oregon’s last Republican governor (Vic Atiyeh), and as a private sector lobbyist. This blog also allows me to link another favorite pastime – politics and the art of developing public policy – to what I write.

The church my wife and I have attended for more than 30 years, Salem Alliance Church emphasizes an important mission statement:

“We aspire to be a city at peace with God.”

Aspirations for being a city at peace with God could flow from a Hebrew word, shalom, which sounds a bit like Salem and means this according to the dictionary:

“Many are familiar with the Hebrew word shalom or ‘peace. ‘ The common western definition of peace is — the absence of conflict or war — but in Hebrew it means so much more. ‘Shalom’ is taken from the root word shalam, which means, ‘to be safe in mind, body, or estate.’”

The lead pastor at Salem Alliance, Steve Fowler, emphasizes the phrase, but also lives it by organizing various programs, missions and events that link the church to the city.

And remember that Salem Alliance made an intentional decision about 20 years ago, when I was chair of the Governing Board, to remain in the center of the city rather than move out to the outskirts.

Our intention, then and now, was to function as a solid neighbor in the Grant Neighborhood, including Grant School, which sits only a couple blogs east of the church.

It is noteworthy to emphasize peace in a day when peace tends to be in short supply, either in terms of wars around the world or in the “war” citizens deal with as a result of corrupt politics – Donald Trump who has demeaned the Oval Office and many Democrats who cannot find reasonable ways to oppose him.

An organization called Salem Leadership Foundation (SLF) also emphasizes peace in Salem as it has moved, successfully over the years, to bring people together, not tear them apart.

The leader of the non-profit enterprise is Sam Skillern, whom I have known and respected for years, including when I was privileged to serve on the SLF Board.

Here is the way he put his aspiration in a recent e-mail message:

“A book crossed my desk last year. It was called The Outward Mindset and points us away from being “inward” (i.e. self-centered and selfish) to a perspective that is other-oriented and collaborative.

“In the words of Jesus, ‘Love thy neighbor as thyself.’  So instead of seeing other people as, 1) assets I exploit for my gain, 2) obstacles in my way, or 3) objects I blame for my failures, we are challenged to view others as people-of-value whom we can serve and collaborate with for rich, mutual benefit.

Skillern appreciates the commitment Mountain West Investment Corporation, which has provided the accredited staff for training and mentoring through the commitment of its leader, Larry Tokarski, whom I am privileged to call a friend.

“For years,” Skillern says, “I’ve floated the idea that virtually every ministry, non-profit, municipality, business, agency and organization in Salem-Keizer all share the same core mission:  The health and well-being of our community.

“In other words, Shalom.  With an outward mindset, we can get there together.”

Good words from Skillern and those who have helped him pass the Shalom message around Salem.