Sabbatical Day 4 -- Feel the Heat

Day two in Texas. Hot. It reached 99 today. The steering wheel of the Mustang seared a pattern in the palms of my hands. Ok, that was an exaggeration but the thing was hot.

We ate breakfast in the hotel lobby this morning. We are at a Homewood Suites in Plano. There was a very elderly couple at breakfast. The wife used a walker and moved very slowly. The husband helped her every step. He got her into her chair then he went to get her breakfast. I offered to help but he said, "I think I've got this." And he did. He brought her a plate. Then he got his. She waited to eat until he was seated. It was a pleasure to witness their unity. It made me think of my parents and their health struggles and I just wanted to help. But he was right. He had it. It made me smile.

Wedding rehearsal at Cross Creek Ranch this morning. It was about 88 at rehearsal time. Thank goodness for that breeze from the south. Rehearsal was fun and goofy. Rehearsal Luncheon was at Cristina's Mexican Kitchen in Murphy -- and it was very good.

We retired for a while to the hotel room and cranked the a/c.

All during the day I have been trying to get my iPad to update its iOS, but it has been stuck. I intend to use the iPad for the wedding, but it may have other plans. Tonight I finally got it to go into DFU mode so I can basically wipe it and restore it. I hope it works. I would really like to use the iPad for the wedding.

Dinner was at the hotel with much of the families and wedding party. I ate nothing. Lunch carried me. I did take a bottle of Russell's Reserve 10 year to share with everyone. There was joy and laughter and Laura and Josh looked very happy and pleased.

The wedding it at 11am tomorrow. Hoping the bees stay away and that the sun doesn't melt me in my pulpit robe. Yes. I am wearing a robe at an outdoor wedding in Texas on June 30. I am not the brightest bulb.

Thinking about Chris Griffith and Trellie Padgett who will get married in Lexington tomorrow. What an amazing couple they are. Thinking about Lisa and Meredith and how grateful I am for Betty Jane and Lynn and Anne and Becky and Sarah Muncie and the way they are looking out for Lisa and Meredith.

This is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Peace and Love,
Jerry

Sabbatical - Day 3, Texas

I left this morning from Little Rock and joined the big truck convoy on I-30 West. I mean trucks upon trucks upon trucks. I made it to Sachse, Texas about a quarter after noon.

On the way I talked to Lisa Johns and we decided that I would journey back to Winchester to officiate the funeral for Graham. A sabbatical is ideally supposed to excuse one from all church duties, including a funeral -- but I just can't walk away and not lead this service. Instead of heading to Tulsa on Monday I will fly to Lexington on Sunday. Then, when the service is over I will fly back to DFW to pick up my car and things and I will be in Tulsa on the afternoon of July 4, ready to greet my sister Melissa who is flying in from Oslo, Norway.

I got to spend some good time with Laura and Josh today. I picked Kelly up from the DFW. I was supposed to be there at 6pm but the traffic on 635 was unbelievable. Unbelievable. I got there at 6:15. I picked her up and we ventured back to Plano to the hotel. From there we went to Charlie and Cathy's house for a casual dinner with some of the wedding party.

The drive this morning was awful, but it's been a good day. I had a great conversation with Lisa. We praised Graham for the goodness of his life. I listened to an On Being podcast where Krista Tippett was interviewing a scholarly expert on the thoughts of Hannah Arendt, the rise of totalitarianism, and the banality of evil. Krista Tippett is pretty awesome, and listening to podcasts is a new thing for sabbatical. The interview today gave me much thought about rights, liberty and how evil gains partners. Definitely fodder for a sermon series someday. Here's a link to On Being with Krista Tippett.

Back at the hotel. Time for lights out.

Peace and Love,
Jerry

Sabbatical -- Day 2, Travelogue

This morning I left Lexington for Little Rock, AR slightly after 7:30am. I drove to Nashville and then across I-40 to Little Rock. I arrived at the hotel about 4:15pm.

I am lodging in an untried hotel chain tonight. Normally when our family travels we stay at Hampton Inns whenever possible. This time a Hilton property popped up in my search I hadn't heard of before. It's called Tru by Hilton. Here's a link to the hotel in here in Little Rock. Tru by Hilton, W Little Rock

It's a hipster, millennial, funky kind of place. The rooms are a bit smallish, which is ok. The bed is enormous and so is the television (55"). It's decorated with an interesting color palette. So far, so good.

I went down the street to a place called Dave's Burgers for dinner, having researched local hamburger places. It was good. The patties start as a ball and are flattened with a press. The fries were good. It's very much like a Five Guys.

Back in the hotel for the night. Thinking about Lisa and Meredith and my hurting church back home. Another day of travel tomorrow as I head to Sachse, Texas. Never heard of it? Here's a link to the Wikipedia site for Sachse, Texas

Prayers for safe travels appreciated. I navigated around or through three major accidents on the interstates today.

Peace and Love,

Jerry

Sabbatical -- Day 2: The Saddest Day

Mr Graham Johns

Graham Johns passed away today. The news came as a shock to me. I went to see him yesterday before I left town today and I had no idea.

Graham was a member of First Christian Church and though we share a last name we are of no relation -- but we delighted in calling each other, "cousin." Graham grew up in Maysville and Winchester. He didn't have a great home life growing up. He went to college, got an accounting degree and made a wonderful career at East Kentucky Power. He was involved in Winchester leadership. He was on the Board of Hospice East. He was chair of Downtown Winchester. He was active in politics. He was the voice of the George Rogers Clark Cardinals on the radio. There's no replacing him there.

At church he sang in the choir. He was a Deacon, then an Elder. He was on the Board. He chaired the Board and did a term as a Trustee. He possessed a booming voice. Such volume. He sang beautifully. He could act. He could preach (and very well at that). He could tell a story as well as anyone I have known. We all looked up to him. We all did. No exaggeration.

His passing leaves an enormous hole. He was a very loving husband to his wife, Lisa. His daughter, Meredith, looked up to her Dad like no other. He framed the world for her.

I am hard-pressed tonight to believe he has gone. I am in a hotel in Little Rock, AR on my way to Texas to officiate a special wedding this weekend, and there is very little I can do for the Johns family or the church from here. I do know this. First Christian Church is rising to the occasion. They love each other. They are a blessing to one another in a very special way. I am fortunate to be their pastor.

May the angels receive him. May the Lord raise him up on the last day. Peace be with you, Graham.

Peace and Love,
Jerry

Sabbatical -- Day 1, June 26, 2018

I went to Waffle House this morning. I had never been before. This is in keeping with the principle of doing something on sabbatical I have never done before.

At the Waffle House my server was Kim. She called me "sweetie" each time she spoke to me. I told her it was my very first Waffle House visit and she asked if I was pulling her leg. She was very attentive. I ordered a two-egg breakfast and added bacon. It came with grits! The coffee was good. The breakfast was better than I expected.

When I had finished, Kim stood and talked to me a while. She is a single mother of a 2 year old daughter. Her daughter goes to daycare while Kim works. She is trying to potty train her daughter because, "pull-ups are expensive." I said, "You know what's expensive? College." That got a laugh from patrons around me.

It strikes me that Kim is in an unenviable position. She loves her daughter very much. She won't make a big living at Waffle House, barely enough. But she is working. She is trying. I appreciated her kindness today.

All the people in the Waffle House seemed pretty happy. They got great service. People smiled. I hope I get to see Kim again, and I hope her piano playing two year old grows up strong and healthy and happy.

Sabbatical Prep

The first official day of sabbatical is tomorrow, June 26. One of the members of First Christian Church gave me a card yesterday that urged me to do something I have never done before while on sabbatical. I think that's a lovely idea. In response, I am going to Waffle House for the very first time tomorrow.

I will also get the oil changed on the car, continue packing and try to get ready for the wedding this weekend. And mow. If it doesn't rain too much.

But look out Waffle House, I'm coming.

Peace be with you,
Jerry

An Overwhelming Day

Today was my last worship service and sermon before the sabbatical begins tomorrow. The congregation was amazing, as per usual.

I, along with Children's Ministry Coordinator, Shawna Mitchell, dedicated four babies and three sets of parents today. Parent/Child dedications always cut straight to my heart. Thanks to Charles Cotton Richtarsic for being a good sport and letting me parade him around the sanctuary today.

JoEllen Reed, our Board Chair led a tender Responsory and Blessing for me today. Communion was by intinction and I got a ton of hugs and best wishes for renewal. Plus, I got to look everyone in the eye and share with them the body and blood of our Lord, the forgiveness of sins and the communion of the saints. Touching. Good for the soul.

Following worship we had a great potluck meal, organized, ordered and directed by our Administrative Assistant, Lee Puckett. She is at the center of everything FCC does. At the potluck I got to play with the children, get loved on by the adults and open a slew of funny gifts. The gifts included a couple of joke books which is good. I'm told my material is getting stale.

I received a lot of gifts and well-wishes today. The best gift of all is the congregation giving me the opportunity for sabbath renewal. What a gift that is. I can explore. I can dive inward. I can travel. I can bring my sister home to see her parents. I can sit and think and wonder and maybe, maybe, if God is willing, I will figure out how to relax a bit. But probably not.

This season of sabbath means the world to me. And yet it has the edge of a sword. I worry over Leilani's final disposition, Graham's ongoing battle with cancer, Katherine Claire and her tiny body having to have more surgeries. I love the people whom I serve alongside. Deeply. I will miss them.

Tomorrow I will help install some graphics in the Youth Lounge and the Children, Worship and Wonder room and then I will be on sabbatical. I don't really know what that will mean yet. It's the journey that matters, I guess.

The peace of Christ be with you.
Jerry

Sabbatical Coming Soon

My sabbatical leave from First Christian Church will begin in a week. From June 26 to August 26 I will be completely away from the life of First Christian Church. There will be travels and experiences; a wedding, a trip to the beach, perhaps a jaunt to Niagara Falls. I will be reading a couple of books and reporting on my reading. 

I will detail the sabbatical with a blog post here every day of my leave. I will report on the books, offer a travelogue and maybe a thought or two about spiritual renewal. 

I am grateful to FCC for this opportunity. More to come. Here.