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WATERLOO CHmNICLE . Wednesday. September ll, 2013 ' 17 , C D 0 Local author s new book Connectwns: Parables for Today looks to build community By 30an contact is quite shallow. Chmm'cleStafl' “We still see people as like us but unlike us," said Mclachlan. “I serious car accident sent wanted to get under the skin of Ala/aterloo author lane Ann people who have very difl‘erent cirA cLachlan into a period of ' cumstanm and demonstrate how self-reflection looking for the things this homeless person could be us. that connect us while providing ‘ or this person with Alzheimer's inspiration. could be us. Waiting more than an hour to be 5 “I wanted to try to break down extricated from the wreck. she was t this us/them feeling that we have. calmedbyasensetherewasaoomâ€" Evenwhenwetrytodogoodthings munity of concern out there who l for people who are unlike us. we were all looking out for her best it sometimes don‘t see they are peo- interest, from the first responders ' f ‘- ,~ ple just like us or that it could hap- and hospital personnel to family. ; £3 «jg; pen to us" friends and her faith community. git-j, 3L 4 4? _ The goal is ultimately to inspire lt gave her comfort to know she if?» 'T”'f“"i‘ ‘ empathy and action. To get people wasconnected to something bigger 3; _!l"‘ . “j to break down the barriers that than just herself. and how we need 1; » . err": “£4 exists between them and inspires a to rely on each other to help free us if; tgw- '.. sense of connection and from our sense of isolation and dis- f". . l' community. connect even during our darkest big, ' “Then we can understand and times. care more for each other," said it helped inspire a collection of 7 .. ' McLachlan. “Human empathy is short stories called Connections: ' ‘ ' " 3» something that we don't acknowl- Parables for Today. The book ‘ edpenoughornurture enough. explores the barriers that separate “i think if we had more empathy people and looks to foster a discusâ€" Waterloo author Jane Ann Mood-lam; latest book looks to Mew-WWW story almost all of the problem's of the sion that can lead to empathy and umm" world could be solved, and my understanding, She feels that dis- But she said when she started person-rid explored “haunt lion. and the questions asked. have motto as a writer is promoting cussion can help us overcome writing the book, which was offi» would arise out olthat situation astrongoommmtity component as understanding through story." those divisions we sometimes feel cially launched at an event on Sat- Shefound a waytoexprmthe bel- she worked with the pastor at her McLachlan is also making those in society today and develop a urday and is publimed by Pandora ing that come from that kind of church and with the adult educav words concrete hydonatingall pro sense of community that counter Press out of Kitd'iena. she wm just life-changing circumstance and tion committee there to come up ceeds ofthe book to aid the work of acts thosefeelings of isolation. trying to come to terms with locum offers some insight into her with ways to foster a meaningful the Mennonite Central Committee “People are basically very good that concerned her and potential thong" process at the end ofthe dhumiort and Canadian Lutheran Relief to and looking for ways to make the challenges for society. They indud- dimer whie posit; questions For 'l think thecommon thread that put towards more foreign relief and world better." said Mclachlan. ed the growing prevalence of disambythem runs through them is the way we aidprojects “Most would like to do that? Alzheimer’s disease and gambled Other stories explore job loss, make connections instead of put- She has been a long time volun- McLachlan' an instructor at dementia and the toll that it takes the refugee situation and dealing ting up barriers between people. teer with Canadian Lutheran World ("onestoga (Iollege and active on mngiversandsufl'erers with family undergoing mental and how we help each other Reliefandhubeen impressed with member of Christ Evangelical "The thought ofAlIJieimer’sis we,“ dimmediECultupectsofflfe' theefiwtadtheMai.Phs.aMen- lutheran Church in Waterloo. has terrifying (or me. so I wrote about it magnum from said McLachlan. “How do we get non’ne plea in Kitchener published already written two books on and I wrote about the fear.‘ said thing tint have M me.‘ said Wit?‘ her book. so it was only natural to ethics. so a book of modern para Mclachlan. "In the writing l bund Mclachlan. ‘l was looking for Sues-id that it was irnponant to support bothotganinn'ons bles is In line With her previous a way to cope with it and accept answers and ways of connecting explore these themes of creating Connections: Parables for Today work. even it happened â€" that life isn't with people. community even mough we live in is available at “Ethics is the way you live your lost ~ you're past isn't lost. it‘s still "Storm that loud: me are pn- one of the most connected sect? www.janeannmclachlan.com or life." said Mclachlan. “And the there." orally about they way people can etio- on the planet. We live in an from www.pandorapresscom. it is parables In the bible were about As all creative writers do. sheput nect toendrotha.’ # of instmt communication, but also available at Words Worth how real people lived their lives” herself into the shoes of another Even the framing of the dhan- the depth and the breadth of that Books in uptown Waterloo. 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