What Integrity Means at Martin Luther Campus

   Below is Sally Peterson's speech she gave at Ebenezer's First Mission Breakfast where she explained about Integrity, and what it means as one of the five values Ebenezer holds true to.  

"​Good Morning, I'm Sally Peterson, and I am the Campus Director of Community Programs at Ebenezer's Martin Luther Campus in Bloomington.  I work with volunteers, Life Long Learning, Therapeutic Recreation and Activities, as well as the Auxiliary and Gift Shop.  I also serve as Volunteer Lead for Ebenezer.  In January of this year, I celebrated my 30th anniversary with Martin Luther.
 
It is a privilege to be with you this morning and an honor to speak at the first Ebenezer Mission Breakfast.
 
I have been asked to speak on the second of our five core values, Integrity.  When we think of the meaning of this word,  we think of one who has the quality of being honest, of having strong moral principles, moral uprightness, an individual who is sincere, truthful and trustworthy.
 
However, another definition of Integrity, the state of being whole and undivided, meaning to have unity, unification, coherence, cohesion, togetherness and solidarity.  In fact, the word Integrity comes from the latin word ‘integer’ which means whole and complete.
 
In this context, of Integrity, I think of Ebenezer as the whole.  Each site represented here today, are all a part of that whole.  WE, are Ebenezer, together, whole within our individual sites, but in unity, cohesion and solidarity to be part of the whole or greater good.  
 
I would like to share a story regarding the Memorial Garden and how it came to be the special place it is today.  It was the wishes of our owners to have a place where loved ones would be remembered and honored.  A place of respite for all people.
 
Just over a year ago, we dedicated the Memorial Garden, behind the care center, overlooking the Minnesota River.  Memorial stones, colorful plants, shrubbery, walking paths, tables, chairs, umbrellas and a fountain marking 22 years of dedicated service by a chaplain give character to the garden.  Old oak trees provide an abundance of shade to those coming to relax and meditate.  It has become a special place for residents, staff, family members and neighbors.   A summer concert was held there a few months ago and last week, we celebrated Oktoberfest, with a polka band, beer garden and a yodeling contest.  A 91 year old yodeler from short-term care entered and won!   While these events have been festive gatherings, the garden is also a place of peace and solitude.  A place for reflection, remembering, and celebrating the lives of those who have passed away and those who are living!  A place to forget your cares and enjoy all that nature offers.  One Meadow Woods resident loved to visit the Memorial Garden, to soak up the sunshine, while having the privacy to remove his shirt, as he did in his own backyard. 
 
The Memorial Garden is one of the ways that we strive to uphold the core value of integrity for our residents.  The owners of our campus, were and are men of integrity, having strong moral principles which are congruent with Ebenezer's mission and values.  Ebenezer is driven to heal, discover, and educate for longer, healthier, meaningful lives which was and is, also the goal of our owners."

After she gave this speech, she went to help feed the hungry at Second Harvest Heartland.  She is one of the many at Ebenezer who lives the mission of integrity!