I’m not sure whether extended recuperation improves the creative juices or not, but
after 5 weeks of it, I am more inclined to think my brain is atrophying. I expect that
within a week or so the surgeon will allow me to begin actively rehabilitating my ankle/
foot by beginning to exercise with weight on it. Walking feels like a lost great art
at the moment. I am quite pleased that I have been able to lead services for the
last few weeks. I’m also relieved not too many of you saw me backing up the steps
on my fanny. I told some folks it was angels that had carried me into the sanctuary.
I’m not sure whether it convinced anyone. At the moment Warren Hagenkotter is
the angle who has “flown” me and my wheel chair to church. Many thanks for his
patience with this chore and with me. The need for a more accessible sanctuary
has caught my attention. I believe the trustees will re-visit our options in the months
ahead.
I was quite happy (and relieved) to have presided with the Rev. Jane Field at our
Confirmation Service (June 13). We had postponed it to accommodate my surgery.
Jane reminded me what to do after my hiatus from leading worship services! It was
a meaningful and joyful event for all of us present. Madison Williams, Logan Forsyth
and Mary Beth Greer are thoughtful and extremely bright young persons. I hope that
they will turn their confirmation vows into living witnesses in our midst and in whatever
church communities they find themselves in their lives in the future. Fortunately
that ought to be in ours for the next 3-4 years.
Thanks also to Betty Johnson, Jonathan Prescott, Beth Burns, and Diane Strickrodt,
who served as Mentors to the confirmands. Diane graciously filled in for Beth who
was out of town for the rescheduled service. I hope to increase the mentor’s role in
the future. I believe it has the potential to add a valuable experience to the process.
I don’t know how it will progress at the moment but as my foot becomes functional
the hip surgery is still on my health docket. I hope it will be possible to proceed with
it during the summer months, but when the Orthopedists sort me out, I will let you
know. After ankle surgery hip replacement is supposed to be a piece of cake. I can
hardly wait . . . .
July 4 will mark Pam and my first anniversary in your community. It has been an exceptional year for us
and our sense of connection to you grows daily. It is not a cursory matter when the Holy Spirit brings a
pastor and a congregation together and it can of course be a less than sanguine event for either entity.
But Pam and I are bold enough to say that for our part we cannot think of a congregation by which we
could possibly be more pleased to have been embraced. Something about home.
