Endings and Beginnings

 The waiting has ended. Today I am in Cleveland. Carl's funeral was on Friday 22 July 2022. The Vesper Wake was on Thursday afternoon from 3 PM to 8PM at St. Monica's in Garfield Hts. He died on Friday morning July 15. My previous blog expressed my shock and sadness. When I think that last summer we had spent a few days at the cottage and returned in the fall for another couple of days, the time went too fast for me to absorb all that has taken place. Fortunately, I was able to visit him the week before he died. He seemed more fragile than the last time I had seen him. However, it was a good visit. 

When I arrived that Wednesday evening, he had just finished dinner. I wheeled him to his room and we started talking as usual. A few minutes later Bob Burge (a retired priest) who had taken him to various meetings, arrived. We had known about about each other from Carl but had never met. The three of us had a lively conversation. I returned to Gettysburg on Thursday late morning. I visited with Carl that morning. We attended a funeral mass for a nun. After 47 years of friendship, we communed together for the first time. We respected our respective traditions. When he came to Gettysburg, he would attend St. James Lutheran Church with me on Saturday evenings and I would attend St. Francis Roman Catholic Church with him on Sunday mornings. On Thursday our brotherly routine changed when I shared the Peace and communed with Carl. To me, that was the capstone of our friendship. I left after the liturgy. We embrace in the lobby and as I went through the front doors, we waved at each other and I knew that would be the last time we would see each other on this side of life.

When I returned to Gettysburg, I immediately googled Bob's address and wrote to him. I shared with him my telephone number and address. I wanted him to call me when he learned of Carl's death. I had only met his nephew Jim one time about twenty plus years ago. I met a grand-niece only last summer at the cottage at Lake Cardinal. They would not have my telephone number to contact me. Bob did call to tell me about Carl's death; on the same day Carl's great-niece sent me a message on Facebook about Carl's death. The next day, I had a call from Carl's nephew informing me about the death as well. He asked me to give the grace at the repast  luncheon which I did. For me, it was such an honor to be asked.

I miss Carl but I know he is at peace with our God.

Transitions in life

This evening I had a very difficult telephone conversation with a friend. He shared that today, 26 March 2022, he was now in hospice care. There is a problem with his aorta and he feels at his age there will not be an extensive lengthening of his life or quality of his life. Carl Uhler and I have been friends and colleagues since 1975 when I was called to Advent Lutheran Church in Cleveland, OH. He was the priest/pastor at St. Henry Roman Catholic Church. Both were in the Lee-Harvard area of the city. We were installed in our respective congregations within a week of each other. We were both in the Lee-Harvard-Miles ministerium and the Harvard Community Service Board. We became good friends. When we both had the same day off, we would go to his family cottage on Lake Cardinal in Rome, OH.  He had gone there since he was a teen-ager with his family. Carl is 91years old so that site had been in his life a long time. My visits continued to Lake Cardinal when I moved to Gettysburg. I would spend a few days each summer. In fact, very often I worked on articles or my Payne book while there. In the summer and fall Carl would come to Gettysburg. We traveled the Gettysburg and other nearby Civil War sites, museums in DC, etc. During my first sabbatical when I was doing research at the Bibliothèque Nationale in Paris, Carl came over to visit for a week and we walked the Paris streets and visited a number of museums and tourist sites. During our conversation this evening we talked about all of our adventures. They are good memories.

I must also say that although we were good friends, we had our differences. We had very heated theological discussions or should I say arguments. These "discussion" ranged from social issues to pastoral authority. Even though we each held strong theological positions, they were not friendship dividing. Carl was helpful to me in developing contemplative/spiritual life. He took time to read and reflect. The Breviary was his companion.

In our conversation this evening, Carl reminded me that we don't know how long the hospice process will be. We'll continue to talk. I write this blog to help me adjust to Carl's news. 

 

Second Anniversary

It has been two years (February 10, 2020) since my kidney transplant at the University of Maryland Medical Center. In fact, as I write this note, I would have been in the operating room at this time (9:53 PM).I am so thankful to the gentleman who was generous in giving his kidney. I might have said previously that I do not know his identity but I did send a letter addressed to his family through the organization that handles correspondence between transplant recipients and the donor's family. I still have to be careful about infections so I am extra careful being in large groups. I continue to think about all the hospital staff who assisted me during my stay and during the post-operative follow-ups. I recall them all, from the cleaning to the professional medical staff. God's creative work continues to confound me and to God I give thanks on this anniversary.

Hunter College Memories

 Two week ago, Jeanne Lamont, a friend from college died from cancer. She was a medical doctor. I kept up with her career through Pat Pasqual who was also at Hunter and who had known Jeanne from high school. The last time I spoke with her was during her trip east when she visited Pat. Although I couldn't meet with her at that time, we did chat on the telephone. Her death made me recall the close friendships that I developed while a student at Hunter College of the City University of New York. I haven't seen many of those friends since my Hunter years, we continue to be in touch through each other.

I can remember Friday afternoons when  I would walk over to Roosevelt House on East 65th street. We would meet there to chat, catch up on the latest in your lives, and eat dinner. Sometimes, we would have a speaker come and talk about a topic of interest to us. It was a relaxing time. Through our times at Roosevelt House or during winter break in Connecticut the friendships w5ere nurtured and grew.

The City University of New York is a gem in higher education in the United States. Hunter prepared me for engagement in the world in my professional life. I am grateful. Hunter has structurally changed since I graduated from there in 1969 but I still feel connected to it after over 50 years.

Filling the Medical Gap

So much has happened since the last time I posted, I don't know where to start. The time since my kidney transplant on February 10, 2020 which I described previously. At that time the doctors noticed the spot on my upper lung. I told them that I knew it was there and that it was examined by  Wellspan in 2016 and a couple of years afterward and they didn't notice a change in size. UMMC doctors said that it should be watched which they did. I was referred to Dr. Britten who examined me and had me take more recent x-rays. I did that at the middle of January 2021. I received a call from Dr. Britt who said he read the x-ray and he saw something that he thought his colleague Dr. Burroughs would be better to look at. He said that I would receive a call from Burrough's office for an appointment. I saw Dr. B on April 9.

The appointment seemed strange and frightening to me. He was very methodical in his examination of the x-rays. He talked about the different types of cancers. As soon as he mentioned the "C" word my mind wondered. I didn't think this was a meeting concerning cancer. He did say lung cancer is a slow moving cancer. He wouldn't know what my spot could be unless he operated. He also said there were three possiblilities: Not do anything; do a biopsy which would not be conclusive; have the surgery.

I want you to know that I had surgery on Thursday, 22 July at the University of Maryland Medical Center. For the past 6 years, my x-rays showed a spot on my right lung.over a two year period it had not grown. Following my transplant surgery, they indicated that it should be watched for any changes. When I took x-rays at the beginning of year, the doctors noticed that there was a change in size. They could not tell whether it was an infection or cancer.  There were several  options  suggested  and I chose to have the operation and get a definitive  answer. I had the operation on Thursday. The pathology department reported that the spot was cancerous and the surgeon had to remove the upper right lobe of the right lung.which contained the cyst. The surgeon did not see any other suspicious  spots. I will be here a few more days before I return to Gettysburg. In general, the surgeon is pleased with the outcome.

I did not share my medical issue with too many people not knowing what the outcome would be. I am pleased with the outcome.

I am thankful to God who continues to preserve, protect and provide for the creation.

In Peace,
Nelson

Rest in Peace ! Requiescet in pace!

As I get older, the more I think of the people I met on my life journey. As we approach All Saints Day, I recall those who have recently died: Charles Jackson, Rev. Dr. Timothy Waltonen, and as of this evening Rev. Dr. Cheryl Stewart-Pero.

+ Rest in Peace! Requiescet in pace!

Trying to Catch Up

Time goes quickly. I did not realize that I had not posted anything since the spring (2019). The winter has been mild. I had no difficulties traveling during the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons. I was able to attend the exhibitions at the Brooklyn Museum. The exhibitions were good but just being in the museum where I ventured as a child brought good memories.

Last spring I was notified that I was part of a list of kidney patients who might be able to have a kidney transplant in 6 months to a year. I attended the meeting at the end of March. In June I received a call. There was a kidney that was available and it looked like a good match. I was not able to use it because I had a tooth infection which was part of the pre-operative work. No transplant operation when one has an infection. Another call came a few months later. The nurse said it looked good on paper but they wouldn't be able to tell until they examined it in the lab. That call came through on a Monday afternoon. The next morning (Tuesday) I received a call. The kidney was not a good match as they had hoped. A third call came at about 2:45 in the morning. I was on the PD machine. A kidney looked good. I would have to disconnect from the machine and call my support person (Eric Crump) and come to the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC). I hung up the phone and was getting ready to disconnect from the PD machine when I received a follow-up call from UMMC. The time-frame would not work. The nurse said that one day the call will be for me.

On February 10, 2020, I was in the lounge area of my primary physician (Dr. Miller) awaiting to see him for my regular visit. My cell phone rang and it was from the UMMC. The nurse said that there was a kidney available and looked like at a good match for me. I asked whether I could call her back as I was about to see my primary physician. She said yes. I then called Eric, who was in the seminary library. I told him what had transpired. he said he would be able to drive me to Baltimore but had to return immediately to Gettysburg for a meeting. I said that would work for me. When I saw Dr. Miller, I told him what had transpired. He said, "This is what we have been waiting for." He looked at my latest tests and said, it looked good from what he could see. I left the office and when I arrived home I called the nurse at UMMC. I was still in shock but asked "What do I do now?" She asked, "When can you get here? I said I'd call my support person and get back to her. Eric said he could leave at 2:45 PM. I related that to the nurse who gave me instructions as to the check-in process. I called my sister and brother-in-law in New York and told them the news. Eric dropped my off at the hospital at about 4:30 PM. I wasn't doing a lot of talking but was still numb. Could this really be happening? I went to the admissions desk. The staff person could see I was nervous. She said, "You have done what you can do, now let us do our work." That was so true. Her words helped to calm me down. I was escorted to the elevator...The preparation began, the change into hospital garb, blood work, etc. After a couple of hours, I was prepped and the nurses were ready to take me down. One nurse asked if I wanted prayer, I said, "yes." She prayed. I was astonished that she asked me the question and really surprised when she prayed. The other nurse remained there. After the prayer was completed, I was prepared physically and spiritually for surgery. I was rolled to the surgery room at about 7:00 PM.

From what I could observe, I was the last person to leave the recovery room at about 2 PM (I has asked the staff person the time. If I remember correctly, it was about 2 AM when I returned to my room. There were lots of health persons who I saw in the post-op days. I have to admit, I had excellent care. From the non-professional to the professional staff. I was released on Saturday, 15 February. Jeanie and Robert were at my house when I received the word that I would be discharged. It just so happened that Bob Gahagen (the pastor at Epiphany Lutheran Church in Brooklyn, NY) and his wife Bertha were coming by to see me at the hospital. So, they came to visit and brought me home to Gettysburg on their way back to Brooklyn from spending time in Pittsburgh. It could not have worked out any better if we had planned it. Before being officially discharged, I had to demonstrate that I could count out and place the pills in the pill box....and there were LOTS of pills. I was given instructions for living at home. I could not be around large gatherings of people nor with people who had the flu/cold. Just a few weeks later, everyone in the U.S. had similar instructions due to the coronavirus. So, I was not alone.

My post-op routine has included: weekly blood work at Lab Corp in Taneytown, MD which is then sent to UMMC, periodic visits with my nephrologist, endocrinologist, pulmonary, my primary physician, etc. There are routine adjustments to my medications. I continue to isolate myself and certainly wear my mask when in public. 

In sum, I am so thankful for the transplant. I wrote a letter to the family of the person whose kidney I received. Although I was on the list for a transplant, I didn't think it would happen to me. God has been so gracious and continues to show power in our lives.

Post-Paris and other Musings

I can't believe we are in the midst of the spring season. In the middle of March I made my trip to France. It happened that I arrived the day before the "Celebration of Life" for Patricia LaPlante-Collins. It was a celebration with words from several of her friends and music with a jazz combo. There were a host of American ex-patriates as well as French attendees. The grand-daughter of Richard Wright was also there. Patricia had a host of acquaintances. My reason for using that word is that fact that she had been found in her apartment having bee dead for a couple of weeks. It was only after her ex-husband had not heard from her that he had her apartment opened and she was found. Although I have been in Cimetière Père LaChaise to see monuments of my favorite French writers, philosophers, musicians, etc., I never thought that I would attend a funeral at the Columbarium. After the celebration, we walked to the nearby cafe and had wine and aux d'oeuvres. I was glad that I was able to attend and at the same time saddened by the event. Part of my routine on my trips to Paris was to go to Patricia's soirées on Sunday evenings. In addition, I would meet her during the week to catch up on life while having a drink at Café St. Victor.  That routine is now finished; it is part of the past.

I was able to take the train to Amsterdam (March 19)and had lunch with one of my early confirmation students from Advent Lutheran Church in Cleveland. I had not seen Janet Thompson in about 40 years. She is now a law professor and was spending a sabbatical in the Groningen, Netherlands. We met for lunch and talked until we had to catch our respective trains. It was so uplifting to hear about her life, family and career.

I am in the midst of working on a presentation/article on Americans in France. I went to Tours (March 18) to interview two Americans who are now living there. It was a delightful interview. Matthew grew up in Gettysburg and lives with his French husband in Tours.

I made a quick trip to Erquy to visit with Maryvonne and Christian. It was a one day, no, one afternoon trip due to my not looking at my email until that Wednesday morning at about 3 AM. I was able to get a seat on the noon train to Lamballe. I sent a text message to Maryvonne. She and Christian were able to pick me up at that station. We had time to have lunch, take a walk to the beach and then head back to Lamballe for my 6:18 PM train to Rennes and then to Paris. They were so gracious about the mix-up and I think they enjoyed the crazy schedule. They have become really good friends.

Another adventure for me was attending Livres Paris (Book Fair) with publishers from France, the European Union, China, Russia, and Africa. Books upon books. I was good and only bought 4 books. I also indulged in clams from Brittany.

I worshiped at Notre Dame. I always enjoy liturgy there because I think of all those who worshiped there for over 800 years. I took a picture of the chancel area before worship. Little did i and anyone else know  that there would be a fire there on April 17 during Holy Week.

I had lunch with Catherine Ferguson and a movie and dinner with Yves

I returned on March 22. I think this was a powerful trip. France continues to be a place that brings me calm.

Remembering a Paris Friend

I learned today that Patricia LaPlante-Collins died. She developed Parissoirée which brought together ex-patriates on Sunday evenings for cocktails, dinner, and a presentation by a musician, artist, author, etc. I made two presentations at the soirée. My last was last March dealing with my research project on ex-patriates. My Sunday evenings in Paris were always at the soirée.

I interviewed Patricia three times for The Seminary Explores radio program. Sh e was always open to my requests for the interviews.

I am planning my trip to Paris for the spring and will have dinner and a drink at Café St. Victor

Phases

Today marks another phase for me and some friends. Our colleague and friend Brooks Schramm, professor of Old Testament at United Lutheran Seminary (formerly faculty of Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg) departed for California. After three and a half years, he took a call at in Santa Barbara to join his spouse, Dr. Kirsi Stjerna, professor of Reformation History, on the faculty of Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary (part of California Lutheran University). She was on the faculty at Gettysburg. I have known Brooks since his coming to Gettysburg in 1994. A scholar, pastor, and teacher, we were not  only colleagues but good friends. His presence will be missed by students and colleagues. I took he and Kirsi to Dulles Airport this afternoon. Eric Crump was also along. He has known Brooks for about 40 years. Needless to say, I already feel the void.

To be honest, I find endings to be difficult. I know my friendship with Brooks and Kirsi will continue but it will certainly take on a different dimension.  As I grow older endings become too present.

Christmastide 2018

I spent Christmas in New York as usual. Christmas in New York is a unique event. I think the important piece for me is being with family. The family is a lot smaller than when I was growing up in Brooklyn but the feeling is still there. In addition to family, it is always good to assist at the Christmas Eve liturgy at Epiphany Lutheran Church in Brooklyn. It has been a part of my life for a very long time. It is always good to see old friends.

The sad part of the holiday was the death of  James Echols. He was a colleague. He certainly made history. He was the first African American to be Dean at our Philadelphia Seminary and the first African American to be president of our seminary at Chicago. A fine scholar (Church History), pastor, teacher, administrator. A fine churchman.

On the New Year, I received the news of the death of Thelma Williams. She was choir director at Advent Lutheran Church where I served as pastor from 1975 to 1987. She was a fine harpist and the use of her instrument at the Christmas Eve liturgy made a memorable time for all. We remained friends after leaving Advent. She was also present when I received the Paulssen-Hale Chair at Gettysburg Seminary. She will be missed. Last night I found a tape from one of  the choir concerts at Advent where Thelma is singing, "Jesus is the way" with the choir. I had to play it several  times. May she rest in peace. Pastor Killings asked whether I was open to helping with  the funeral liturgy. I was honored to be asked and will participate. I  attended and participated in the funeral.

At the repast at Advent, I was able to see some of my former parishioners. It brought back good memories of my years in that congregation.

An Anniversary of 45 years

It seems hard to believe but 45 years ago on this day, June 10, 1973 I was ordained at my home congregation (Epiphany Lutheran) in Brooklyn, New York. I posted the anniversary on my Facebook page and there were a number of comments. Certainly more than I expected. In ministry, Word and Sacrament or Word and Service, there are always ups and downs, but the ups outweigh the down times. I have been blessed by family, congregants, students and colleagues who inspired and supported me over the years.

Prior to this 45th year, I had two significant events that occurred in April. On April 29th my portrait was unveiled in the Wentz library. I was the first African American to be tenured at Gettysburg...I must also say I will be the last since Gettysburg Seminary no longer exits. It is now the Gettysburg campus of United Lutheran Seminary. On April 18, I was awarded the Distinguished Alumni Award for service in ministry but the Alumni Association. My classmate, Bob Musser nominated me. I was certainly humbled by these two events. When I arrived in Gettysburg as a student in September 1969, I never imagined that Gettysburg would play such an important part in my life. I am thankful.

Catching Up

The past couple of months have been hectic but exhilarating at the same time.

Time abroad. On March 20 I left for Paris. It was an experiment. I started home dialysis (PD) in September and wanted to see how I might travel abroad with the cycler unit and ancillary equipment. It worked out better than I imagined. The Baxter company had the solution boxes delivered to Hotel du Lion a day or two before my arrival. When I connected in the evening, everything functioned as programmed. That lessened one part of my anxiety on the trip. My other objective on the trip was to continue my "Americans in Paris" project. I had read some of the literature and now wanted to interview Americans living in Paris. I was able to do three in-person interviews.

I interviewed Patricia who has lived in Paris for about 28 years. We had our conversation at St. Victor on a Friday evening. A few days later, on Sunday, I interviewed July who has lived in Paris for 48 years. We had our discussion at Miss Marple's, an English restaurant. On the following Tuesday, March 27, I talked with Catherine who moved to Paris in 2016. She is 80 years old. This is an exciting  beginning to this project. I hope to continue the interview process in Paris, in the fall.

On Sunday, 25 March, I presented my interest and research on the topic at the Paris Soiree gathering. They offered good comments for me to consider in my research. I was thankful for the opportunity discuss the project.

On Palm Sunday I worshiped at Eglise des Billettes, the Lutheran Church where Daniel Payne attended in the 19th century. I usually worship there when in Paris. Pastor Joly is no longer there. The new pastor is a good preacher, but the liturgy lacked something and there were no palms. The only indication that it was Palm Sunday was the gospel reading. I would have gone to Notre Dame afterward but I had lunch scheduled with a Judy.

In addition to the project, I did get to see the Mary Cassatt (American expressionist who lived in Paris) exhibition at the Musée Jacquemart-André. The last time I saw here work was in Washington, DC when I was in seminary.

I must say that I found  the trip to be a great relief. I was able to travel without trouble. I can travel as a dialysis patient! I am thankful to God for letting me see that life continues even in illness. Now, I can plan my next trip across the Atlantic pond.

Memories of Corsica

This evening I am jumping between the Olympics and a program on TV5Monde's Echappes belles on Corsica. The program brings back memories of my student days when I studied in Corsica, the summer of 1968 (The 20th century Novel and French Theatre of the 20th Century).After classes which were held in the morning, we would spend the afternoon on the beach. We would hitch-hike and to into the very blue and comfortable water. In the evening we'd climb over the walls of the school (that was the short cut) to buy crèpes from the vendor in front of the school. I am in contact with only one other American student who was studying there that summer, Camille. She has fond memories of Corsica as well. If you see the French film "Joueuse" (Queen to Play) set in Corsica, you will find some views of Ajaccio the city in which we studied at Ecole Normale.

Requiescat in pace

My sister called me this afternoon. My Uncle Winston died at 11:30 AM. Just a week before Christmas, his wife, my Aunt Catherine died. They were living in the same room at the nursing home. They had been married for 50 years. As I sit in the Wentz library at Gettysburg Seminary (now United Lutheran Seminary), I remember that he and my aunt dropped me off on campus when I began my theological studies in September 1969. The next time they were in Gettysburg in the late 90s, I was on the  faculty. 

Rest in Peace!

Christmastide

St. Stephen's Day 2017

Christmas in New York is always a unique occasion. The Christmas lights in the neighborhoods, the congested corridors in the department stores, and the increase in traffic on the streets and highways. In the frenzy of the season there is the leitmotif of hope and joy in the midst of the troubling circumstances of the world.

Christmas Eve I was the celebrant at Epiphany Lutheran. There wasn't a large congregation. The fact that Advent 4 and Christmas Eve were the same day limited the number or worshipers for the evening. After the liturgy, some members of the congregation went and sang Christmas carols to my aunt who continues to have problems with walking. She also received the Eucharist. Afterward, we ventured down the block to visit another shut-in who can no longer walk due to her lost of her lower limbs. The Christmas season makes one aware of the God of promise and hope given to us in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus.

On Christmas day we had brunch at home and then we (my sister and brother-in-law) went to make the family rounds: Aunt Dot, Ricky and Terry (cousin) and Mrs. Payne (Robert's mother). There was no rushing. After the visits we returned home to eat Christmas dinner.

This morning, the reality of city life was very apparent as I had to move my car (double part) due to alternate side of the street parking....I moved the car by 8:20 and re-parked it 9:25. Now, I can relax the rest of the day. I'll probably watch a French movie on DVD.

My aunt Catherine

It is 6:47 as I write. I received a call a little while ago that aunt Catherine, my father's youngest sister died. She was ailing and so it was expected. I remember that when I was growing up, she was always reading. I particularly remember when I was sick and couldn't return my books that were due at the public library, she returned the books for me...and it was during the winter. She and my uncle Winston were in a senior living facility in Brooklyn. They were in the same room for the past few years. Rest in Peace.

A Sunday Afternoon

It is really a fall day...overcast and rainy. Last week was really interesting and brought a surprise. I had a good report from the doctor (nephrologist) for my monthly visit. Home dialysis or PD seems to be working for me. On the same visit, the social worker, Dawn, talked to me. She indicated that I was accepted on the transplant list at the University of Maryland. She had made the inquiry after I told Keith (the PD nurse) that I had not heard anything from them. It was a pleasant surprise and in many ways calming news. I am comfortable with the PD so I know any transplant will not be immediate so I can be calm. and be thankful.

This is Reformation Sunday. I'm sure the music was great but I went to worship on Saturday evening. I appreciated the sermon which emphasized the global dimension of the Lutheran theological movement. This was an important word in the midst of xenophobia in the United States and around the world. I was reminded of Luther's treatise on education, "To the Councilmen of Germany..." which contains a global perspective as part of his theology of education.

I was just thinking that I am also thankful for my community of friends. Although I did think I'd be comfortable in Gettysburg after retirement, it has proved to be a good location for me. It is also central for me with friends or family in Ohio, New York, and Washington, DC.

Changes and memories

Last Friday I attended the last hours of the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg. At the stroke of midnight it became United Theological Seminary - (ULS:the merger of Gettysburg and Philadelphia seminaries). With the stories that were told at three of the buildings on campus noting its context with the history of the seminary, the encounters with former and present staff members, and a service of the Word in the chapel, and the tolling of the bell, I couldn't help but note that life has changed on the campus. I spent more than half of my years in ministry on that campus. That is a significant amount of time and memories. But change happens. My prayers for the faculty, students, and staff at ULS.

On Sunday, July 2, I received notice of the death of Earl Werdelin. He was my internship Pastor supervisor when I was a seminarian at Gettysburg. What memories! I am also godfather to David, his youngest son who is now a father of three. I am embarrassed to say just how long it has been since I had seen David but it was so good to be with him and his wife during the funeral. I hope we can build on the few hours we spent at the funeral and luncheon afterward at Emanuel Lutheran Church in Manchester, Connecticut.

I acquired a tremendous amount of pastor skills under Werdelin. My life in the theological academy certainly was nurtured and honed during that internship year. For Earl, the intern/vicar was an integral part of the ministry. When I returned to St. Croix as co-Pastor with him at Lord God of Sabbaoth Lutheran Church, I continued to hone those skills. Little did I know where those initial years would lead.

Medical Update

I went to the University of Maryland Transplant Center at the end of April for a preliminary interview or more accurately, interviews for the transplant process. This week I began the follow-up tests at my primary physician's office and at Gettysburg Hospital. I still a few more tests to go through. I really cannot say how I am feeling about the process. After not getting approval at the previous assessment at Pinnacle Health in Harrisburg, I'm just taking it one day and one test at a time.

I didn't think I would go through with it again but after Dr. Ayolo indicated that I should try U of MD, Dr. Miller stated that I had nothing to lose, and my problems with the graft since the beginning of February, I needed to look at the transplant option.

I will know the decision of the iU of MD transplant committee in a couple of weeks.