I've Got Peace Like a River!

This may well be my last post on this sabbatical blog, for our time away from our every day lives is about at its end. We are spending a quiet day in Butte, Montana, collecting ourselves and our junk, and preparing for our return home tomorrow. 

This last week has been bittersweet. On our way to Montana we were informed of the death of a beloved long time member of Emmanuel Church, Ted McLean. He was not on our list of people to be concerned about but died quite suddenly from a fall. We are so blessed to have a caring congregation and great pastoral leaders, doing what they do best in our absence - taking care of one another, praying for one another.

Only a couple of days later, we were also informed of the death of our long time brother in Christ, friend and mentor, Bill Jackson. We had some reason to be concerned about him, but we were hoping he would hold out until we could say good-bye one final time. It wasn't to be, however. But I have been thinking about Bill a lot as I traversed and fished the beautiful rivers of Montana, and I am certain that is exactly how he would want me to be celebrating his life and remembering him. He loved such things himself. Ted is similar. He was a great adventurer. He loved to travel and learn and see new places. I know our time away has also been an appropriate celebration of Ted's life - a celebration of life itself.

And our week in Montana, as been a banquet of life - life in so many diverse forms - the waters teaming with bugs and fish and plants, the mountains and meadows, blooming with brilliant colors and forms of wildflowers - amazing animals and birds around every turn - and the big sky above us, forever changing with the winds.

We spent the first two days of the Montana sojourn traveling towards and touring Yellowstone Park. We had never been there before. The scenery of course, is spectacular. Our poor little camera hardly captured it's beauty - but the geothermal formations were just fascinating. Old Faithful was simple sort of interesting compared to the thousands of other formations scattered throughout the park. We did get up close and personal with Old Faithful, however. The crowds were gathering as we arrived and lining up on the many benches to watch the next eruption. We decided to follow that path that circled around the geyser. When we got to the other side, away from the crowds, we sat down, thinking it would be a better place to observe the event. When the eruption finally happened, we realized why everybody else was viewing from the other side. The wind was blowing our way, and so the water also came blowing our way. So you could say we experienced Old Faithful "up close and personal." We got a nice cool shower. (the water was cold) but we dried off quickly.

We were actually more impressed with the Mammoth Hotsprings formations and many of the other geyser areas. Next time we'll plan to spend several days in the park. We only scratched the surface of what there is to see in one full day.

We then drove north and west along beautiful Hebgen Lake and River. The river valley looked like Switzerland, with the towering peaks overlooking the green valley. Fifty years ago there was a huge earthquake in this valley. A mountainside came down into the valley, killing 28 people who were camping there, and blocking the flow of the river, forming a new lake, appropriate named, Earthquake Lake.

Further on we stopped at Virginia City, in the mountains. It is an old gold mining town, which has been pretty much left in tact as it was in the late 1800s. It is now a picturesque little tourist trap with much Montana history to be absorbed.

We found our way to Butte, where my cousin, Bill Good lives. Bill has been fly fishing all his life. He is a biologist who teaches at Mountain Tech in Butte. He knows the rivers and the land and the fish, and the bugs and the plants, and he was generous enough to share two days of it all with us. We couldn't have had a more knowledgeable and patient guide if we'd looked for one!

For two days, Bill drove us on the back roads of Western Montana - all through the Big Hole River area (very famous fishing place) one day, and the Rock Creek wilderness the next. He got us in the rivers, and taught us how to think like fish. He showed us some magnificent scenery - forests, valleys, ranches, waters. We have been intimate with our surroundings, and in awe of God's creation! We have been blessed these last few days of sabbath - we have been blessed!

A brief note about my first attempt at fly fishing. I couldn't have had a better teacher! I had previously told Bill that my biggest concern wasn't catching a fish, but just being in the river, was all I needed. Into the rivers, I went! The first day, I spent attending to my line - practicing putting it together, taking it apart, untangling it (again and again.) unhooking it from trees and shrubs (again and again), tying on my fly  - loosing my fly - tying on again, navigating the water, the rocks, the sand, the mud, looking for fish, learning to think like a fish. I was exhausted, if not successful by the end of that day. My companions, were successful at good catches! The next day, I discovered more skill and confidence in myself. On about my second cast, I was shocked to see a little fish on my hook. I pulled him in, and said to him, "Well, hello! You are my very first fish! Nice to meet you." Then I gently pulled the hook out of his mouth and released my four incher back into the beautiful river. Neither of my companions actually saw my prize, but I'll always remember it. Today I'm feeling excited about keeping this new pursuit up when I return home. We have all this equipment now, and we actually know a bit more about what we are doing. It will be a good thing to do together in the future.

I find that there have been some common themes emerging from this sabbatical of such varying landscapes and peoples. One theme is the earth - knowing God through all the beautiful and diverse forms of nature we have seen and experienced. We have been especially made aware of our need to enjoy it more fully and care for it more passionately.

A second theme is community. We have made wonderful connections with such diverse peoples - native Americans, Quackenbush family adventures, the poor and homeless of Washington D. C. , we have been befriended and welcomed by Christian communities, who nurtured our spirits and shared their faith with us. We have found God speaking in and through these people who in community, care passionately for God, each other and the "least of these." We have learned much from all of them, and we know they will have ongoing influence in the way we live our lives and worship God.

And perhaps the most important theme I've gleaned from this Sabbath time is learning how not to hurry! During this time we done so much and learned so much, but never in a hurried way. On the reservation, we experienced "Indian Time," meaning - things get started whenever everyone gets there and is finally ready. In D. C. our days were full, but not too full. We were never in a hurry to get any place and or do anything. We didn't rush. We had to wait often. Every moment was important and full. And finally, one of the greatest lessons that fishing teaches you is - not to hurry. Wait for the fish. Move slowly or you will slip and fall, or your line will get messed up, or you'll chase the fish away. Yes, I've learned how not to hurry, and I pray that I will carry this skill with me from now on.

 

Christ House

Our days in D. C. among the communities and ministries of the Church of the Savior are coming to a close. The fourth of July weekend is beginning, and there will be much going on in this city, but not much more chance for us to interact with the people of this remarkable group of churches. We were told that we really needed to go to Christ House before we departed, which is only a half a block from where we stay, to attend their weekly Thursday evening Table Fellowship. 

You may remember that Christ House is a rehab facility for homeless people who are recovering from hospitalizations and addictions. We had attended their Sunday morning worship service and had been quite inspired by the quality and enthusiasm of the music and the prayers. The music is in African American style for the most part and very vital. 

We were welcomed to Christ House Thursday evening by Allen Goetcheus , who is the minister there. It turns out he is Methodist in affiliation. He has been at Christ House since before its beginning. The building was purchased in 1983. It was an old apartment building, which had been vacant for many years. It took two years to remodel and transform it into the center that it was to become. Christ House opened in December of 1985. Many of the staff members have been there since then or for many years. Allen's wife, Janelle, is the medical director for Christ House as well as a number of other related health care agencies. They live there at Christ House, along with several other staff members who have apartments in the building.

The second floor is where the patients live and are cared for. There are about 35 men and women (mostly men) who live there. The average stay is about 30 days. On the second floor are their bedrooms, treatment and examination rooms, and offices for case workers and other treatment team folks. It is run much like a hospital...except, it has more of a family feel than any hospital or treatment facility I've experienced.

The first floor has a large community room where meals are shared and worship is held and some meetings are held. There are also offices and smaller meeting rooms on that floor. They have a shower program for the homeless not living there on that floor. Up to ten people per day can come take showers and receive clean clothing, provided they have a case worker and are hooked up with specific programs. AA meetings are held for the patients and neighborhood folks about four times per week. The people under care there suffer from hypertension, diabetes, mental illness, addictions, cancer, AIDs, and often have many more than one problem.

They not only receive treatment, but then receive placement in other facilities, like nearby Karios House. The idea is to help them become self sustaining, or find adequate, sustainable living situations off the streets.

The Table Fellowship started off with a lot of joyful music. We were seated with a group of men who had led the music the previous Sunday. Three of them were singers, and one was the electric bass player. (The main music leader was the blind piano player.)  After the introductory music, Allen began a communion liturgy, saying "God wants you to have this bread." We passed the bread to one another. Then came the main meal. It was perhaps the best meal we'd eaten here in D. C. ..stuffed chicken, vegetables, potatoes, and strawberry chiffon pie! After the meal there was a short scripture reading and a few people were asked to volunteer to respond to it. There was no shortage of responders among all the men.  After that there was a lot more music. They actually gave us a hymnal as a gift to us. 

 The service ended with the passing and sharing of the cup...then all stood hand in hand, singing, "Bind us together, Lord." I felt fortunate to take the hand of Michael, who had just spent two months in the hospital, and nearly died. Many expressed great thankfulness for his presence there that evening. One of the common prayers we've heard around here from so many of the former addicts and homeless men is.."Lord, thank you for waking me up this morning." They truly understand that each day is such a gift!

Christ House depends on the contributions of many individuals and churches to keep doing this ministry. They also utilize a number of volunteers. As a place to volunteer, I find it very appealing, because of the contagious hope and faith found among the people there. As Janelle explained to me, "Each person here is a resurrection story."

The photos above are of Christ House. There is another "Jesus" sculpture in the front of the building, done by the same artist that sculpted the "Servant Christ," in front of the Festival Center and at Wellspring Conference Center. The Jesus at Christ House is looking upward, toward the second floor where those being served live and are being healed. A second sculpture that you see is a metal collage of people shapes, representing the people in the Christ House neighborhood. We were so glad to culminate our stay here in such a joyful and meaningful way.

Reflections from a window table at the Potter's House

For some reason the wireless internet at Andrew's House where we stay won't let us join for the last few days. This morning I have come to the Potter's House to connect. It is quiet in the morning here. The cooks are making lunch. There is only one other person sitting at a nearby table...sleeping. It feels good to recognize more and more people in the community all the time, and to be able to greet them by name. It is also enjoyable to sit at the window and watch the world go by outside on the street.

In the "it's a small world" category of happenings, I got up at 6:30 this morning and headed along my usual route of late - towards the zoo. I passed lots of joggers on my way. Just after I had turned the corner into the zoo, I passed a group of three women out for their morning exercise. As I passed them, one called out to me, "Cathy, is that you?" I turned around to see Barbara Rost, from Emmanuel Church in that group! How good and surprising it was to be hugged by somebody from home! Barbara comes to D. C. on business frequently, but what were the odds of us actually being in the same space at the same time.... unplanned? 

Sunday was a full day for us. We went to two worship services and a picnic. The first worship service was at Christ House, a community of homeless people in rehab from medical problems and addictions. The residents at Christ House are mostly homeless black men. Members of Christ House Church and visitors were also there. Wow! They have fantastic music...mostly in the African American style. It is very lively and enjoyable. This was the first church we've been to that is led by a pastor...a priest. It was very Episcopalian in feel, except for the music. They even sang this very lively liturgy for their communion prayers.

We finished there and crossed the street over to the Potter's House, a little late for worship with the Eighth Day Church. The Potter's House was very full. There were many guests yesterday. They too have their own unique worship style. A young woman, new to the church was the preacher. She had just come from a 24 hour vigil near the White House against torture. She spoke much about Sabbath keeping even as we work for social justice. At the end of her sermon, she asked an open-ended question and invited folks to come to the mike to respond. This response time was not lacking in enthusiastic responders. One woman spoke of the Jewish neighborhood in New York where she once lived. On Sabbath days, the faithful Jews would sing and dance in the street. Moving with the spirit of the sermon, as worship ended, the group moved to the side walk outside to sing and dance to the song, "I've Got Peace Like a River." A few people made it clear that this is not their usual way to end a Sunday service. Several people outside did stop to watch, and some even joined in the dance.

I spoke with one of the members afterwards. She told me that the subject of torture is very near and dear to the heart of the people of the Eighth Day Church. There are a number of people from various countries like Sudan and Cameroon who are victims of torture and who have lived for a time with members of this church. So this is a very person issue for folks. Many of them have participated in demonstrations against the use of torture. Many have been arrested. This is just one of the ways that this deeply spiritual/politically activist group lives out their faith.

In the afternoon, there was a picnic taking place at Rock Creek Park for all the people who participate in the Spiritual Support Groups. (I think there are about six groups. We had visited two of them the previous Thursday evening) We walked to the Festival Center to see if we could get a carpool ride to the park. Eventually a couple of cars came to pick us up. Paul and I were the only white people waiting for a ride. (These groups are very intentionally racially mixed, with a number of ex-offenders in their ranks.) It became apparent that Paul and I were going to have to split up for our rides. I got in a car with three other men who had been waiting. After a few minutes I decided to boldly make a true statement. "I guess this is the first time I've ever ridden in a car with four black men." They all smiled and one of them said to me,"Well then I guess this is your lucky day."

The picnic was a wonderful mix of people. The main dish was supplied. It was this amazing barbeque - not the northwestern kind of barbeque, but Roger Brown's type of barbeque - excellently done! There was conversation and games and much merriment for a couple of hours. Gordon Cosby, 92 year old founder of the Church of the Savior came. He needs assistance walking to and from his car, but he drives himself. I'm sure he wouldn't have missed this event for anything.

As I told Barbara Rost this morning, we certainly are having a very rich multicultural experience! We are so blessed. The photos above include the picnic, but also a couple of photos of some of the attenders with "Jesus." There are a series of similar "Jesus"  statues made by an artist member of the Church of the Savior. The first one we saw was at the Wellspring retreat center. There is another outside of Christ House, and the one in the photo is in front of the Festival Center. May you feel the embrace of Jesus today.

Happenings in D. C.

I don't know how involved the rest of the world has been with the news of the train crash last Monday evening in D. C. That, along with the news of celebrity deaths have made it kind of a traumatic week. I think a lot of people in D. C. have been affected by the train crash, because so many people use the transit system, and especially the red line. Seeker's Church is on that line. We travelled through the area of the crash just the day before on our way home from church. Others I know use this line to get back and forth to work. One man I met was actually on one of  the trains that crashed. It is difficult to face such a personal tragedy because you know these are people you have shared the train with many times before. Many are traumatized, but still there is no choice but to get back on the trains.

Monday evening we worshipped with the Festival Church, at the Festival Center down the street. The Festival Center houses various ministries, including the School of Servant Leadership, which is in summer recession, and the Spiritual Support Groups that I shall mention later. The Festival Church has seven active members.... remember membership requires commitment to tithe, be active in a mission group, and to undertake personal spiritual disciples. There were about 15 people worshipping that evening, including three children. The worship was very similar to the other churches we'd attended. Each of the seven members takes a turn at preaching or providing a preacher on a rotating basis. The service is very personal and prayerful. Festival church has some great musicians who brought the group in to the different parts of the service with sung responses and invitations. They also serve communion every time, and have a children's sermon and church school class. This group is presently going through a discernment process of seeking to discover God's call to them now. Past ministries they've had have changed with the changing demographics of their group. As usual, they were very gracious and welcoming to us.

Tuesday morning we ventured two doors down from Andrew's House to Jubilee Jobs. There was already a line up of people waiting for the doors to open. We were ushered in with all of them and invited to be seated in the waiting room. Most of the folks were there for the last session of their orientation to the program. Some were being sent out to job interviews. The program, which has been placing people successfully in entry level jobs since the 1980's has more applicants then ever before. People are guaranteed job placement if they can comply with the strict rules. They must attend all of the orientation sessions, work with a job counselor, and show up on time, dressed for success. (We were on time, though not dressed for success.) The next morning we got an interview with the director of the program, Terry. She has been with Jubilee Jobs since its beginning. They started with just a desk and a phone and now have their own building, and 12 employees. It is a busy and popular place. There is a minister in Portland that we know that has also visited this project, thinking it is something that might be replicated there. We will take the information we have back and see what comes of it. 

Wednesday evening I went back to Seeker's church to learn about creating liturgy with the Celebration Circle there. Before I went, Paul and I attended worship at the Potter's House with the Potter's House and the Jubilee Churches. Actually, it was impossible for us to tell who belonged to which church. This church service was run much like the other churches; prayerful and meaningful. However, what was different was the mix of people. It was not predominately white as the others. There also were people of different mental abilities and disabilities. It occurred to us that this was more like the early churches in the bible... people from many different nationalities and walks of life. Everyone was encouraged to participate, and many did in their unique ways. The sermon was more of a discussion by the group. (There must have been about 25 people there. It gradually filled up as the service progressed.) The leader read the lectionary gospel reading, and then asked the people to respond to it. There wasn't a lot of liturgy, and there was little planning. In contrast, I spent the rest of the evening doing some serious liturgy creation with the seekers. The the two groups are quite a contrast liturgically, but the vitality of their worship is similar.

Thursday evening, we attended the Spiritual Support Groups at the Festival Center. Spiritual Support Groups are a ministry of a brand new church, the Church of Christ Right Now. The groups are intended to be multiracial and multicultural. Many of the participants are recruited from the Jubilee Jobs applicants. Many of them are ex offenders who face additional difficulties in finding jobs because of prison records. (many of them are black men.) The groups are run sort of like AA groups, except that they are centered on Jesus Christ instead of a "higher power." It was really quite amazing to sit down with folks that I wouldn't normally be sitting down with, to share deep and personal things. For those who choose to stay in these groups over time, very close relationships have been developed among very different kinds of people. The Church of Christ Right Now wants to continue in some way to be an advocate and partner with ex offenders. It will be interesting to see what becomes of that calling in the future.

Friday evening was "Open Mike" night at Potter's House. We hadn't planned to go to it but a woman we met there last week contacted me and invited us to come, because she was planning to read some of her poetry. We we had a great time. There was an assortment of musicians and poets that took their turns performing. Each was enthusiastically encouraged. We were actually among the few attendees who didn't perform. There seemed to be a number of people who come and perform each month and so they know each other pretty well. As we enjoyed the evening's entertainment, the skies just opened up and poured down rain for about a half an hour, clearing out the mugginess of the last couple of days. By the time the entertainment ended at 9:30 p.m. the sidewalks had already dried off.

We've been sight seeing every day in addition to Church of the Savior activities. We've been to the National Museum of American History, The National Portrait Gallery, and the National Art Gallery, the National Museum of Natural History...not even covering all of the exhibits. We also finally went out to dinner for our anniversary, at a nearby Belgium crepe/beer place, which was delightful. There's still a million more eateries to try. I've walked through the zoo several mornings and just love being there with the animals minus the crowds. Today I connected with the gorrillas, the pink flamingos, and the bald eagles. There's always something new to discover there.

It sounds like we've been really busy, but the pace is really quite leisurely for us. One of the best lessons I've enjoyed learning on this sabbatical is how NOT to hurry! I hope this is a lesson that stays with me for a long long time.

Bdecan Connections

So far this sabbatical time has been a journey of connections. When we were in North Dakota, sojourning on the Spirit Lake Nation Reservation at Bdecan Presbyterian Church, we were told about a mission group from Westminster Presbyterian Church of Alexandria, Virginia. This church has been sending mission groups to Bdecan for five or more years now. A small number of folks from that church happened to be in the area the day we arrived on the reservation. Unfortunately, our paths did not cross then, but we were told about the friendship they had developed with the Bdecan Church over the years and of their concern and support for that church.

By coincidence, we realized that we would be traveling to Westminster's neck of the woods on the second half of our journey, so we promised we would make an effort to look them up and try to get together to share stories, concerns, and insights. We found when we got to D. C. that our plate was rather full on Sunday mornings and the transportation is a little complicated then to get to Westminster. But we didn't want to give up on making this connection, so we contacted Art, who heads up the Bdecan mission group to see if we could meet him and/or others sometime during the week. We received an enthusiastic response.

Tuesday afternoon, Paul and I found our way on the metro to the Pentegon City metro stop/shopping center/ food court. Art was waiting at the metro stop for us. There were two others from Westminster who were also waiting to meet with us, Linc, chair of the mission committee, and Tandy, a long time participant in Bdeca mission trips.

It was amazing to meet somebody on the other side of the country who had met and spent time with the same people in the middle of the country in similar special ways. It felt to me that we were linked together a bit like family. We shared the stories of our experiences at Bdecan, our concerns, and possibilities for the future. The time went quickly. We promised to stay in touch. We are particularly interested in knowing how Westminster's mission trip this summer at the end of July turns out for them. They will be there during the big pow wow, Fort Totten Days. They will be running a VBS program as well as doing some construction projects. They will take a group of about 20 people. This church is blessed with people and financial resources, and they are desiring to put them all to good use. They also are responsible for building an orphanage in Kenya and have that as an on-going international mission. Perhaps there are even greater kinds of support they will be able to give Bdecan in the future.

We were happy to provide some photos we had taken at Bdecan to Westminster for them promote this mission trip. It is amazing how God can bring far flung people together to form different kinds of partnerships and relationships that can bear good fruit.

 

Seeker's Church

Sunday was the third time I had been to Seeker's Church. It is not located in the neighborhood where many of the other Church of the Savior congregations are. We have to take a bus and then the subway and it takes about 45 minutes to get there. This is the church that I had been communicating with since last fall. I had bonded with some of the members at the meetings I attended last week. I felt compelled to worship with them on Sunday and had promised we would.

Thankfully, Paul is a bit more mobile than he was last week. He has now graduated to a cane. the crutches were so laborious! He also is really tired of sitting by himself with his foot elevated, so he has become eager to venture into the city a bit more. I'm fine taking off by myself, but do enjoy the company as well. I offered to buy him a breakfast at the corner Coffee and Crumbs to celebrate Father's Day. He was appreciative of the thought.

It began to rain as we were eating our omlets, so I dashed back to Andrew's House to get an umbrella to take with us on our journey to Seekers. We'd had some impressive rain storms the day before and I didn't want to get caught without protection. It was really a good thing I went back for the umbrella because the whole rest of the day was sunny and lovely! The humidity dropped way off for a change as well.

Our bus took longer than expected to arrive so we were a bit later to Seekers Church than we had planned. The folks had already gathered in a room downstairs from their worship space to kind of check in with each other, share prayer concerns, and make announcements. We arrived about in the middle of that event and they made room for us and had us introduce ourselves. It was nice to see some familiar faces there and to know so names already.

After the gathering time at 9:30 a.m., they all went upstairs for the main worship of the day. The Celebration Circle, which was the mission group that I had visited on Wednesday was leading. One of them was in charge of the first gathering, and another was the liturgist for the day. They still had up the Pentecost artwork, which you see in the photo above. 

The liturgy.... prayers and readings where in a bulletin, much as we have at Emmanuel Church. The Celebration Circle writes this liturgy. They use the same prayers and readings every Sunday for about six weeks at a time...so the them was still about the Holy Spirit. I think that these thoughtfully written pieces would be allowed to sink in better to the worshippers, as they are repeated for a time.

Since they pride themselves at being a completely laity-led church, they are always asking for volunteers (unpaid) to be the preacher of the day. The preacher of the day this Sunday was Pat, who had also been the teacher of the class I attended the Tuesday before. When there is a man preaching, they have female liturgist, and when a woman preaches they have a male liturgist. 

There were three children in attendance that day. (About forty people in worship.)  I couldn't tell who the parents were as they were sitting in many laps. Eventually I asked one of the women who had been holding them a lot if she was their mother. She said no, that another woman in the church was the grandmother. They stay with her on weekends and she brings them. Obviously they feel like they belong to everybody. There was a Word for Children near the beginning of the service, much like at Emmanuel. The lesson was taken from the lectionary reading. Then the kids went off to their Sunday school class.

Most of the order of service was very familiar to us, except that all of the prayers --thanksgiving, confession, and intercession were said one right after the other. (Much like Emmanuel's Saturday Evening service.) They have no choir but did have very traditional hymns which the preacher had written new words to. 

After worship was a traditional fellowship time with iced tea. They have a huge kitchen, to encourage fellowship and conversation. Their fellowship area, however is relatively small. There was a guest speaker there for those who wanted to stay from a group concerned with human rights in Guatemala. For several years members of this church have gone each summer to build schools there. Guatemala is close to their hearts. It was a bit disheartening to learn about an increase in violence there and the reasons behind it.

I will probably return to Seekers on Wednesday evening to sit in on the Celebration Circle again as they continue planning for worship during the "green season" which is from the middle of July to the end of August. This group has been very welcoming and encouraging and it is very inspiring to be involved in the development of liturgy. It would be fun to continue with them as long as I can. But we will be worshipping in other church in the coming weeks in order to get to know them too.

Sounds of Hope

Every Friday evening at the Potter's House there is a benefit concert. The name of the series of events is "Sounds of Hope." Local musicians are invited  to perform and the cover charge at the door goes toward a charity of their choice. Paul and I weren't doing anything else on Friday night, so we decided, why not try it out? We were about the first ones there because we were also counting on having dinner there as well, and we were hungry. Upon our arrival we found that one of our house mates, Christian, was producing the show that evening. She made sure we got our dinner right away. 

We were warned that the first act was really loud and given the advice that the bookstore manager had a supply of ear plugs that we could use. We were glad we asked. The first (warm-up) act was a group of young white guys from Ohio on their first tour. They were very loud. I don't know what I would have done without the ear plugs. The plaster above Paul's head actually started vibrating off the wall and small piece fell on his head! Mercifully, the first act was over after three numbers, and we could enjoy our black beans and rice and sweet potato pie in peace.

It took awhile to set up for the rest of the evening's entertainment and more and more people started coming in. It wasn't long before Paul and I realized that we were the only white people in the place! There was a very friendly woman sitting alone at the table next to us. We had commiserated over the loud opening act. She had mentioned that she just had needed to get out some place that evening. She was unhappy? because her boy friend was mad at her.  I asked her what her boyfriend was doing that evening and she said, " He lives out of state."  "What state?" I asked. She replied, "He lives in Portland, Oregon." "Portland, Oregon?" I responded. "We are from Portland, Oregon."

So we had a bit of a chat about Portland, and what a coincidence and that she had actually met her boyfriend when she was in Portland, Oregon. And then her cell phone rang. Guess who...it was?.. her boyfriend. He wasn't actually mad at her after all. She told him she was sitting by somebody from Portland, Oregon, and why didn't he talk to them. So she handed me the phone. I told him I was actually from West Linn, Oregon, and asked him where he lives. He replied that he lives in West Linn as well, right across from the police station. I told him that he was only a few blocks from our house. Paul suggested I ask him to stop by and water our tomatoes.

After that, Carmen, the woman sitting next to us was like an old friend.

After we made all these interesting connections the real entertainment for the evening got under way. Mostly, it was a fabulous group of black women... singers, actors, poets, who sang and told it like it is to be them. Much of the theme was about freedom and liberation. It happened to be June 19, the day that most of the slaves found out about the Emancipation Proclamation and the fact that in actuality, the were really free. It was somewhat unnerving to be the only white people in the room. I realized that I've been spending this sabbatical among groups of people that MY people have enslaved, oppressed and stolen from...first the Native Americans, and then the African Americans. It made me feel convicted and put on the spot. Yet each of these groups has been so hospitable and welcoming to us as well..

By ten o'clock the entertainment was still going strong and the Potter's House was packed. However, we had already been there three and a half hours, and were ready to toddle off to our beds. But it had been a memorable evening. Time well spent.