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.

The Church of the Savior

The communities of the Church of the Savior in Washington D. C. have been extremely welcoming to us. They know how to receive a stranger. The hub of much of what happens in this network of churches is the Potter's House which is two blocks away from us in the Adams Morgan neighborhood. So the first place we headed after orienting ourselves was to this coffee house/bookstore/meeting place, worship space.

They serve wonderful homemade food at the Potter's House, along with friendly hospitality. Paul and I originally went there for our first sampling of the faire - tea and muffins. The bookstore is very enticing. It is a good thing I have no room to bring back books. It is much like our own Circuit Rider Books. They also take a mobile unit out to different events that need books, like our retreat last weekend. I was assured by the bookstore manager who considers this work his ministry, that they routinely ship books everywhere in the country, so not to worry if I can't carry them home.

Two doors down from the Potter's House is the Festival Center. Every noontime they have a mid-day prayer service in a little chapel there. That is where I went next. I feel right at home in all the prayer and worship services I've experienced so far. At the mid-day prayer service I met Gordon Cosby, the founder of this faith community, and a legend in his own time. He has been the spiritual leader for the churches since 1947. He is now 92 and has recently retired from preaching and much of his leadership responsibilities. Never-the-less, he is a daily presence in this community. He greeted me warmly and already knew of our presence among them. 

I have been back to the mid-day prayer service since then, in fact have worshipped at least once a day this week. Since the nine churches worship at varying times, there is usually a service to attend each day...in the neighborhood. The problem is having to choose. This evening I went over to the Potter's House to worship with the church called The Friends of Jesus. The service took place around tables. We sang several familiar hymns, were led in prayer, heard the word preached, and served one another communion. This was followed by a meal and further reflection of scripture. I sat between the man who is the director of the ministry called Jubilee Housing, and the woman who is the director of the Festival Center. Also in this group was the director of the Jubilee Jobs ministry. It seems that everyone I talk to heads up some important mission. The preacher was a member of the congregation and several more of the members led different parts.

Yesterday there was a discussion following mid-day prayer at the Potter's House about the "Transformational Church." It was led by Simeon, one of our housemates, who is a student at Duke Divinity School. As with most conversations we get involved in here, it was very thought provoking. The Potter's House really fills up at noon, and there were people we'd met before having conversations and lunch.

Another church that I've been interacting with is the Seeker's Church. I've been in touch with them through their website and e-mail for nearly a year now. They are a little different from the rest of the churches in that they have their own building and are located in a different part of the city. We had to take a bus and subway to get to them. We attended their School of Christian Living on Tuesday evening. They offer two classes each week for six week terms. They start with dinner and then go to class. I went to the class on Poverty. Again, the level of commitment and expertise among the members is amazing. The classes are taught by church members.

On Wednesday evening I went back to the Seeker Church to sit in on their Celebration Circle (one of their mission groups, or commissions as our church would call them.) They meet once a week to plan the liturgy for their worship services. They do not have a professional minister, but consider every member a minister. They take turns preaching and doing all the other tasks of ministry. Instead of sponsoring a specific ministry as most of the other churches do, they encourage each other in their individual ministries in the world. Their mission groups not only are about planning for the church, but at least half of the time is spent supporting and praying for one another. They invited me back for next week! We plan to worship with them on Sunday this week too.

We have been doing some sight seeing as well, and learning to navigate the public transit system by trial and error. Today we went down to the capital mall to the Museum of the American Indian. We had a specific goal in mind - to find the name of Bdecan Presbyterian Church and the Spirit Lake Nation Tribe - (where we sojourned in North Dakota)  They have a plaque on their wall in honor of their contribution to the national museum. It was not easy to find them. Every floor of this beautiful museum has walls full of names of supporters. However, after quite a bit of clarification and urging, Paul got one of the information people to find them on the computer. We went up to the fourth floor, searched for the numbered panel, counted down to the line they'd given us, and actually found Bdecan! We were so excited, and took a photo to send to them.

I've been trying to figure out how to walk to the national zoo, which is close by where we stay. I've gone out walking a couple of days, but though I've seen many marvelous and curious things, didn't come near the zoo. However, I think I got some good advice last night. I would have headed there this morning, but a huge rain storm settled in for the night and most of the day. However, tomorrow morning, I will hopefully get there. And it is free!

Unfortunately for Paul, he has been limited on walking excursions due to a badly sprained ankle, falling in a side walk hole in Baltimore and again on our first night in D. C.  So he is on crutches for a week, and actually walking more then he should be. He has something in common with Hilary Clinton now. They visited the same ER in the last few days. (She broke her elbow.)

I will include photos of the Church of the Savior in a future blog, as I haven't taken any yet. However with this chapter I'll include a few of the city. To summarize this week, everyday we are learning something new, meeting faithful and interesting people, and praying often!

Wellspring

Friday morning we made our way to Penn Station in Baltimore, dragging our heavy suitcases behind us, to catch a Marc Train. The train took us to Union Station in Washington D. C. We had ten minutes to change trains and head for German Town. Some how we made our connections with no trouble. At the little station in German Town, Janet, from the Wellspring Conference Center picked us up and delivered us to our destination

Wellspring Conference Center is a ministry of the Church of the Savior, a network of small churches in Washington D. C. The land for this ministry was purchased by the church in the 1950s. It was originally a farm of about 200 acres. It is a beautiful piece of property with woods, meadows, creeks, a lake and a pond. There is the Day Spring Retreat Center at one end of the property, which provides a setting for silent retreats. The the Wellspring Conference Center hosts conferences led by the staff there as well as outside groups. On the grounds there is also the original farm house that is used for church meetings and classes, there is now an earth ministry, which is working to provide a model for green living, and includes two energy efficient homes and a green house and plans for another building where classes will be held and which will also serve as an art center. There is also an outside pavillion which provides space for different activities as well as worship services in the summer for the DaySpring Church.

We were there for the purpose of becoming acquainted with the Church of the Savior and to participate in a conference called, "Environment, Economy, and Us." There were 9 participants in the conference and 4 leaders, so we got to know each other fairly well in the intense, short time together.

We spent a lot of time the next morning, listening to the earth. This included a pilgrimage on the land, walking together in silence throughout the farm, and stopping now and then for an inspirational reading or to feel the creek water running over our feet. We also spent lots of time in worship, including a time of lament for the state that the earth is now in. In the afternoon, we pondered what a different way of living and a different economic base might look like, if (or when or before) the present one collapses.  It was sobering, but a time full of hope and excitement. It was an absolute joy to spend time "listening" to the earth, as well as listening to others who are also so concerned about it. We found ourselves to be the only folks there from that other coast on the other side of the continent, yet we were among a group of like-minded people. How I wished that we could accompany these companions through the ancient forest in Oregon, and listen together to it!

Just about everyone that attended the conference is a member of one of the churches in the Church of the Savior. All the rest of them are in Washington D. C. Since our plan in this second half of the Sabbatical is to spend meaningful time among these churches, we were provided with some wonderful contacts for doing so. Just about everyone there has spent or is spending a good deal of there time in one of the mission sites in the Church of the Savior. 

When the conference was over on Sunday, we were given a ride to our next destination, Andrew's House, in Washington D. C. Andrew's House is also a ministry of one of the churches. It provides housing for folks like us who are visiting or volunteering with the churches. The neighborhood where Andrew's House sits is central to the ministries of the Church of the Savior. Down the block is Joseph's House, a hospice for homeless people. Also in the neighborhood is the Potter's House, a bookstore/coffee house, and worship space for a few of these churches. Connected to the Potter's House is a health clinic. Down the block is the Festival Center, that houses the Servant Leadership School and is a meeting space for other churches. Across from that is Christ House, a rehab facility for homeless men and women. We have invitation from several of these places to come and experience. I know we have much to learn!

We took most of this day off for a number of reasons, that I may mention in a later blog. Today is our 34th wedding anniversary, so we may try out one of the hundreds of ethnic eateries in the neighborhood this evening. We've also been orienting ourselves to the public transportation system today as well. It's muggy and warm here and our summer clothes are finally being utilized! Thus begins phase 2 of our Sabbatical

Baltimore

The flights from Minneapolis to Baltimore went very smoothly except for one big bump as we were approaching Baltimore. The pilot was in the middle of his "thank you for flying with us" speech, when we hit the big bump. Everyone let out a little shriek. The pilot paused, and then picked up his narrative again, "Sorry about that big pothole folks."

We caught a taxi that was nearly twice as expensive as we had been led to believe to the Mt. Vernon Hotel in downtown Baltimore. The location is just wonderful for walking to just about any location of interest in the city. We are a block from Charles St., which has many shops and places to eat, and is central to many sights. 

The culture shock for us couldn't be more pronounced after living on the Dakota prairie for almost a month. The pace of life is much faster, the crowds much greater, and the land scape might as well be on a different planet from where we've been.

Baltimore is obviously a financial center, as there are many skyscrapers with names of banks on them...and we were worried we wouldn't be able to find an ATM machine....all we have to do is cross the street. There are also many cathedrals with impressive domes and spires in the skyline. Our hotel is hemmed in by gigantic church buildings. We had little if any cell phone reception throughout the Dakotas. This is no longer as problem. Ironically, I can't get wireless internet in our hotel room, but have to come down to the hotel lobby to connect.

We had to be pretty choosy about what to see in that our time here has been very limited. So we decided to do as much of a general walking tour of the city as we could. Yesterday morning we headed toward the harbor. The city has done a wonderful job of utilizing the harbor area to bring in visitors. It is very beautifully built up with eateries, museums, hotels and shops. We walked along the dockets where ship museums sit, walked through an old factory building with huge smoke stacks that now houses the largest Barnes and Noble we've ever seen, and we toured a very unusual lighthouse that used to guard the bay. 

After wandering for many miles, we made our way back to the Mt. Vernon Hotel for a rest and for lunch. After a little rejuvenation, I made my way up a block and wandered the rest of the afternoon through a great free art museum. An hour or so later, I was communing with the mummies from ancient Egypt when the young guard asked me to be heading out because the museum was closing for the day. Somehow we struck up a conversation and without his asking me where I was from, he confided that what he really wanted to do with his life was move to Portland, Oregon! As it turned out, he later had to apologize to me for keeping me there past closing. 

Later that evening on our way to get something to eat for dinner, Paul tripped in a hole and turned his ankle. He decided it was time to return to the hotel with a bag of ice and for me to continue on to fetch dinner and an ace bandage for him. The market had food but not ace bandages, so I had to move on and try to find a pharmacy. I was just wondering which way to turn, when a young man approached me to ask if I knew where the nearest Walgren's was. I said "no, I'm looking for a pharmacy too." So he called a friend and suggested I wait and see if he could help us. He found out where it was...two blocks away, and so we walked there together. It turns out he was also looking for an ace bandage, but since he's from India, didn't know what to call it or where to look. I showed him the way and we both bought ace bandages and then parted ways. I thought it was odd that I had run into these two people with whom I had instant connections. I guess that is what happens when you go off by yourself into a strange city. (Don't worry about me, I'm very discerning about which strangers I talk to....really.)

Paul seems a little bit better this morning. We have plans to make our way to Penn Station, which is about ten blocks from the hotel. From there we'll take the train to Union Station in Washington D. C. At Union Station we'll get another train on the Brunswick line. When we arrive at that station, we'll call our hosts at Wellspring Retreat Center, and they will come and pick us up. The only part in this plan I'm not looking forward to is hauling all our stuff from train to train. 

The weather here has been warm...but not oppressive...in the 80's. Both evenings there have been showers. The first evening it was a thunder shower.  We will be at Wellspring until Sunday afternoon. Hopefully I can blog from there.

Sioux Falls and Pipestone

Our sojourn in the Dakotas came to an end in the lovely town of Sioux Falls. We dropped the rest of the family off at the Aberdeen Regional Airport early Monday morning. The three remaining members of our tour, Paul, Cathy, and Joan caravaned South to Sioux Falls. Actually we drove slightly farther south to Tea, where Joan dropped off the rented handicapped accessible van. Paul and I dropped her off at the Sioux Falls Airport and then headed back towards the city and found yet another Motel 6.

Sioux Falls is a beautiful town. The downtown buildings are tall and stately, and most are covered with the gorgeous red stone that is prevalent in the area. After dinner we wandered over to Falls Park. This is the landmark from which the town gets its name. There is a series of waterfalls as the Big Sioux River cascades over the many red stone formations. A beautiful park sits around this formation and the skyline of the city stands in the background.

Tuesday morning we headed East into Minnesota. Shortly after we crossed the state line we took a diversion of about 30 miles in order to see Pipestone National Monument, just outside of Pipestone, Minnesota. This area too is characterized by the beautiful reddish stone. For centuries, native Americans have quarried the stone in this area to use for making ceremonial pipes. It is quite amazing that this particular spot of many large stones and a beautiful Pipestone Creek and more water falls, just kind of appears right in the middle of the prairie and farmland. There is a short 3/4 mile hike through the place, fully of photo ops.

We didn't stay in Pipestone as long as we would have liked to have stayed, because we wanted to get on to Minneapolis and return our rental car. We pulled into the motel where we started out about a month ago well before 4:00 and shortly afterwards returned the car. This evening we are sorting and purging some of the extra stuff we've collected in our travels. It's a challenge to follow my own convictions and simplify!

Tomorrow morning we leave for two nights in Baltimore followed by a weekend retreat at Wellspring Retreat Center near Washington D. C. I'm sure this will be a huge change from living on the prairie for a month!

The Trip to Long Lake

When the Quackenbush family lived in this area in the late fifties and early sixties, their grandparents had a farm a little less than fifty miles away. They have fond memories of spending time on their grandparent's farm in Long Lake. They were befriended by the neighboring family, the Slominskis, and they remember nostalgically, walking into the little town of Long Lake on Saturday nights. The men of the community would gather at the tavern. The women would get together at the creamery across the street. The kids would run back and forth. They especially loved going into the tavern to buy cracker jack type of treats with nickels, dimes or quarters in the box. So we had to spend Saturday evening in Long Lake as a finale to the Heritage tour. 

The Saturday tour started out near the family farm where we had been the day before, near Aberdeen. Our fearless leaders (Ross and Paul) wanted to drive around the perimeter of the original farm to check it out. We started down a gravel road, in sight of the house and barn, but the gravel road quickly turned to a mud road, as the weather had also turned from fair to fowl. It was raining pretty hard; windy and cold. It quickly became apparent that this was a bad idea, and both vehicles had to find a place to turn around and head back to the paved road. This was not an easy task and as we fish-tailed through the mud, we prayed we would not get stuck and have to go ask the nice Haalands to pull us out with their tractor. Fortunately, we made it out of the mud and headed on toward Richmond.

Richmond is a ghost town in the vicinity of the farm. According to the statement we saw in the Prairie Museum today, it is one of those many little South Dakota towns that was started around the beginning of the century, that simply failed to thrive. Paul and Ross were looking for the train depot, the train track, and the grain elevator where they had spent much time.

The one room school house where both the older boys had started their education was also missing. Someone told them that the elevator was taken down just last year. Not far down the road from the former town is a lovely campground situated on Richmond Lake. There were many people camping in the rain there. Our leaders pointed out the part of the lake where they used to ice skate.

We headed out of the camp ground towards a spot further down the road called Metonka, which also used to be a town and where Clayton Quackenbush had a second farm that he tended. The only business in Metonka now is the Neon Blue Bar, and it was closed and up for sale.

Continuing on back roads, which were paved, but in terrible shape from the severe winter just passed, we came to a more thriving town called Leola; the rhubarb capital of the world. We were all cold and tired and hungry by that time, and it was a relief to stop at the D and M cafe and bar for lunch and a bathroom break. We were treated well there, and took the option of ordering rhubarb malts and pie. Rhubarb pie is not my "cup of tea" but those who love it said it was definately homemade and the best they'd eaten. I tasted the malt and thought it was pretty good too. There was a very friendly local fellow there who talked with us for quite awhile. He told us a bit about Long Lake and what to expect when we got there. He filled us in on local history.

We drove on toward Long Lake with full stomachs and great expectations. Unfortunately for Ross and Paul, Long Lake is getting to be a ghost town as well. The post office is still open, but all the other businesses except the Long Lake Bar and Cafe (it's the same tavern they used to got to on Saturday nights.)  We had called ahead and told them we were coming. They have a Saturday night special buffet: chicken and ribs. But it was still early afternoon, cold and rainy, and not much to see and do. 

Paul and Ross directed us to the former baseball field, where their dad and their Uncle Russ had played on the Long Lake Longhorn team. The ballfield is now abandoned, but the back stop and sign is still there. By this time, none of us wanted to get out and walk around the place because it was so cold and wet outside of the cars, so we all watched Paul and Ross, walk and walk and talk and remember their special places that are no more.

This included Grandad's farm. There is little left to indicate it ever existed, except one barn and a couple of foundations. Never-the-less the intrepid adventures spent much time out in the cold retracing the steps of there past. The same was true of the Slominski Farm down the road, except that there were more out buildings left; no house. I caught a glimpse of the lone occupant of that farm, a raccoon, peaking out of the upstairs window of the barn. The old abandoned buildings were picturesque and quite typical of many other places we had seen that day. Farms are now much bigger than they were in the 50s. It takes much more land to make a living at farming, so they have been bought up by corporations or landowners that wanted to expand. Some folks from Minnesota have also bought up land in the area and use it only once or twice a year for their own private hunting grounds.

After spending most of the afternoon sitting in the cars, watching Paul and Ross trapse around abandoned farms and towns, we headed back to the Long Lake Bar and Cafe for the Saturday night special.... and it was quite special! The food was all home cooked and very cheap. They people were very friendly and welcoming. One of the cook's husband, Charles had actually worked for Grandad as a young man. He came in especially to talk with us. There were others who came in that also remembered the Quackenbushes, so there were many good conversations all around.

Before the end of the evening, we had to celebrate Cara's 29th birthday with another Rhubarb and a Blue Berry pie and candles. I'm quite sure she will always remember this birthday celebration.

And that was basically the end of the Heritage Tour. Cara and Kelly left us this morning, and the rest of us will be taking off tomorrow morning. Paul and I are heading for Souix Falls and from there to Minneapolis and from their to Baltimore and Washington D. C.  The Family Hertiage Trip appears to have been a great success. We are all tired out, but so glad we did this.

Revisiting the Family Farm

In the 1950's Clayton and Margaret Quackenbush moved their family from Seattle to Aberdeen, South Dakota. They bought a near-by farm and started cultivating it as their family grew. Especially the two older siblings have fond and vivid memories of their adventures and the freedom they had at a very young age that came with living on a farm. After about 6 years, their parents sold the farm and moved on to Salem, Oregon, but the wonderful memories have stayed with them all these years and have been told and retold at every family gathering. 

As luck would have it, Ross was able to make contact with the present owners of the farm a month or so before the tour began. These people were most hospitable and welcoming and invited us all to come and see it and to meet them. We were all looking forward to this opportunity with great anticipation, especially Ross and Paul, but as we got closer and closer to Aberdeen, we had to make one more tourist stop - to see the "largest pheasent in the world, in Huron, South Dakota. We weren't disappointed; it was very large, and a wonderful photo op.

There was a very large wooden white buffalo on the same street - what a treat! And then we moved on towards our destiny.

After stopping at the Burger King in Aberdeen, a town of about 25, 000, we drove on toward the farm, which is a few miles out of town. We were so fortunate that the weather was sunny this day, as it had been in the Badlands as well.

Curtis and Carmen Haaland, the present owners of the farm greeted us warmly as we drove up. The house and the barn, the shed and the quanset hut were all as the guys had remembered it. The place looked in very good shape. The Haalands have owned it since Carmen's parents, the people who bought it from the Quackenbushes, gave it to them in the late 80's. They have remodeled the house extensively inside, but for the most part, it is much the same. The barn is much the way it was.

The Hallands have not farmed the land and they only own a small portion of the original farm that was sold off to neighboring farmers many years ago. They did raise goats there for several years, but due to health concerns, have given that up. They do love it and have really enjoyed sharing it with their many grandchildren. Both are now retired. That was great for us. They spent most of the rest of the day showing us around and sharing stories with us.

We explored the house, the barn, the sheds, and took walking or riding tours out through the fields and the tree shelter belt, where deer, fox, owls, pheasents, ducks, and birds of many kinds make their homes. Curtis is an avid hunter and he loves hunting there with his friends most of the year. We saw the place where Ross drove into the side of the barn with a truck full of grain, were Paul almost shot his foot off, and where their cocker spaniel, Lady was quarantined for a month when bitten by a skunk. (The boys went to visit her every day anyway, though their parents were unaware.)

All in all, it was a glorious day for even those of us who had not grown up there. Our hosts were so kind and easy to be with, that they were invited to join us for dinner in town. We all met at the "Flame." and continued the stories and celebration late into the evening. It was a wonderful day to remember.