Saturday, November 2, 2013

Autumn Reflections

This was a different Fall season for me...I didn't return to the classroom after 25 years on the faculty at Gettysburg Seminary. Anticipating the change, I made my plans. I attended the Opening Convocation of the semester which was a joyous event. My friend and colleague Dr. Brooks Schramm was installed in the Kraft Chair in Biblical Studies. It was an excellent lecture by a great scholar.

On September 6 I took a flight to France and was there for three weeks. It was good to see friends and see the Paris during the fall season which was a first for me since I was always teaching. I went to two museums I had not visited before, Musée du quai Branly and Musée des Arts Deco. A friend, Dr. Bruno Vercier, was on a panel at the Branly discussing the writer Pierre Loti. Dr. Karen Bohleke of Shippensburg University and Gettysburg Seminary, wanted my to pick up the exhibition catalogue from the Art Deco, hence, I took the opportunity to browse the exhibitions. Both places were interesting to visit and I'll definitely have to return for extended visits. It was definitely autumn with lower temperatures than when I left the U.S. so I had to buy a jacket to keep comfortable. Going to the Parissoirée each Sunday evening was fun. One meets a number of ex-patriots as well as visitors to France and French men and women. Each week was unique (vocalist, film producer, and motivational speaker) and great food produced by Patricia LaPlante-Collins, the organizer of the group. I left the cool days of Paris for a day trip to the warmth of the southern France in Avignon to see Le Pont (Bridge) and the Palace of the Popes which dates back to the 15th century.  I will have to spend more time in the Provence region. At the end of September I returned to the states but leaving France is always bitter sweet for me. I enjoy returning to my home yet I want to be in France as well, however, I always enjoy the custom officer's words, "Welcome back to the United States."

For the Fall Academy at Gettysburg Seminary, I gave a lecture on my research on "Black soldiers, the Civil War and Education" I am enjoying this research and hopefully will develop into a journal article. I think the lecture was well received.

I am presently developing my course on African American Religious Education for Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia. If anyone reads this blog and has any bibliographical suggestions, please don't hesitate to share them with me.

One additional note...On October 28, I was awarded an Honorary Degree, Doctor of Humane Letters, from Payne Theological Seminary in Wilberforce, Ohio. It was an unexpected event in my life. I am humble by this honor.