Payne Book

Last week, Daniel Alexander Payne: The Venerable Preceptor of the African Methodist Episcopal Church was released in the paperback edition. I certainly hope that readers get a glimpse of this remarkable African American clergyman of the 19th century.

It is amazing how scholarly work is now disseminated to the public. With the release of the book in e-text before the hardcopy, I know that the publishing industry is forever changed. One can get it from the publisher, University Press of America, Amazon, Kindle, Nook, eBooks, etc. It is truly amazing. With the availablility of varioius sources these days, I wonder if people are reading more? I certainly hope that is the case.

Retirement

As the new academic year begins I find that I am in a major transition. I announced my retirement two weeks ago. I will finish my years as a professor at Gettysburg Seminary on January 31, 2013 after 25 and a half years. As I wrote in my letter to President Michael Cooper-White, these years have been a pastoral and theological adventure. I'll continue to reflect on this period in my life in subsequent postings.
I should also add that during this last semester at Gettysburg, my book Daniel Alexander Payne: The Venerable Preceptor of the African Methodist Episcopal Church published by University Press of America, is now available in electronic format on Kindle, Nook, etc. and will be available in paperback next week. I certainly hope it can help spread the word about this remarkable 19th century African American.

Reflections on France, Finland, and Germany, Summer 2012

As some of you know, I go to France each summer. There are those who ask, how did this come about? The short answer is that I spent my sophomore and junior summers while in college living and studying in France. It instantly became my other country and continues to be to this day. The following is a brief chronology of my time there this summer. Part of the objective of this trip was to see Paris from the eyes of Daniel A. Payne, the 19^th century African American clergyman and educator. We have heard about writers and their travels, i.e. Hemingway’s A Moveable Feast. What would it mean to tour Paris via Payne, a clergyman? I share some of my trip with you. If you have any comments, please do not hesitate to contact me (strobert1@embarqmail.com)

17 July

I had a ride to Dulles from Eric Crump and boarded United Airlines #613 for Paris for a 5:15 PM flight.

20 July

I began my Payne tour by going to Le Jardin et Palais de Luxembourg. It t was really a nice sunny day. When I walked through the garden, lo and behold, there was band music from Ambassadors of Music. This was a group of high school students from Northern Virginia. Afterwards there was a youth orchestra from the England, just north of London.

July 27

Payne preached at the Methodist Church in Chantilly, France. I decided to find the church and visit the chateau. It was only a 20 minute train ride from Paris. I located the church which is now a restaurant. It was only a short walk from the train station and on the way to the chateau.

28 July

I went to Worms, Germany to visit Heinz and Gudrun (family). When I arrived at the station (Gare de L’Est) the 7 AM train was cancelled…so it was off to the office. I was rescheduled to take the train with a change in Karlsruhe, Germany. That was not a problem, however, I thought I had Heinz and Gudrun’s telephone number on my iPhone but I didn’t….Thanks to technology, I called my cousin Esther (his sister) who lives in Seattle, Washington. It was about 9 PM there when I called. She was wondering from where I was calling…I told her I was callingi from the train station in Paris waiting for the train to visit her brother. She gave me the telephone number so that I could call him and tell him that I would arrive an hour later than expected. It all worked out.

I enjoyed beer at the Hagenbrau  gashaus…which has great beer…Heinz, Gudrun, and I drank there which is on the Rhine. That evening we ate outside at home. It was overcast and Heinz said it was not going to rain. We began eating and in the middle of the dinner it started raining…a nice steady rain…so we finished dinner using three umbrellas in addition to the table umbrella….

29 July

Sunday we had a great German breakfast. We took our time until it was time to go to the train. I thought I left at 1:15 PM…I got my bags together and looked at my ticket…the train was leaving at 12:45 and it was 12:15 PM….I told Heinz…we (well Heinz) dashed to the station…I didn’t want to look at the speedometer as we cruised or flew on the autobahn….We arrived at 12:47 and ran to the gate…the train had not left…whew…I made it back to Paris. I should say that the trip was short because of so many people traveling that weekend…I didn’t have a problem on the train to Mannheim, it was the return trip. There was only one seat left. So, I had no choice but to take it.

1 August

I took a self-guided walking tour of Paris examining and taking photos of 19^th century buildings that were present during Payne’s time in Paris. It was a long walk that included: L’Arc de Triomphe,  Tuilleries gardens,  Crédit de Lyon, Gare St. Lazare, Galarie Lafayette. I will include these and the other sites on a PowerPoint presentation on Payne in Paris.

3 August

I flew to Helsinki, Finland to meet my friends and colleagues, Brooks Schramm and Kirsi Stjerna. They were going to attend the Luther Congress which was going to begin on Sunday afternoon. It was my first time in Scandinavian country. I took the Finnair Bus from the airport to the Crown Plaza hotel. Kirsi had texted the bus information.  

4 August

We walked around Helsinki. I was intrigued by the market on the wharf and the Lutheran Cathedral. We also ran into Duane Larson and his wife. He was also attending the Luther Congress

5 August

I began my last day in Helsinki with a sauna…it was great! I met Brooks and Kirsi (they only lived two blocks from my hotel) for lunch. I returned from downtown to make the 3:15 bus to the airport….I will certainly return to Helsinki.

9 August

I took the train to Girveny, Monet’s home and garden. One is transported to another part of the creation. It was a terrific visit. After all these years, I finally made the trip. I kept reflecting on the First Article of the Creed and Luther’s response. Even with all the tourists, it was still a tranquil place.

I took Rick Steve’s (the travel writer) advice and returned to the bus and train to go to Rouen. I had been there about 15 years ago. It is the place of Jeanne D’Arc’s execution. The cathedral is a magnificent structure. It is also the home of the Museum of Education.

11 August

I met Patricia LaPlante-Collins (co-ordinator and founder of Parissoirées for an interview for The Seminary Explores.  It took 4 hours…One hour was the interview and then we at lunch. I met her at 12:15 and left the restaurant at about 4:!5…I was truly a Parisian Saturday afternoon.

12 August

I gave a short talk on Payne in Paris for Parissoirées which took place at the Tibetan restaurant. It was well received. Would you believe a woman told me that she had been on the Gettysburg campus and that her brother lives in Hanover, Pennsylvania (about 20 miles from Gettysburg).

13 August

I started packing and cleaning the apartment. I bought Mme. Duguiez (the gardienne) roses. She has been so sympathique. She also told me an alternative way to get to the airport. I think she appreciated the gift.

Yves (a Parisian friend) called and asked whether I’d be interested in seeing Lola ( a classic French film from 1960). The movie was good and interesting in that it was before the tumultuous years in the France. Afterwards, we feasted on moules-frites at Léon de Bruxelles.

14 August

With my bags packed, I closed the door to the apartment and took the bus for the airport…I was the third person online. At 12:35 we left the gate and I was on my way to the U.S.A. I continue to be sad upon leaving France and yet I am excited about seeing family and close friends.

Josephine Baker stated, “I have two loves, my country and Paris.” It is true for me, too.

 

 

 

New Publication

I am feeling calm now. My book, Daniel Alexander Payne: The Venerable Preceptor of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, is scheduled to be released on August 16, 2012. It is published by University Press of America. I hope it contributes to the literature on Payne. I know it is a different age in publishing as it is being published in paperback as well as in eBook form. For more information you can get more details and order at: https://rowman.com/Action/Search/UPA/strobert (ISBN -978-0-7618-5867-6 (paperback);978-0-7618-5868-3 (eBook) or www.amazon.com.

Payne Publication

Daniel Alexander Payne The Venerable Preceptor of the African Methodist Episcopal Church is scheduled to be released in August. To get a brief description and pre-order a copy of this work please follow the following: http://rowman.com/ISBN/9780761858676

Payne Birthday

Last Saturday (February 11) was the birthday of Daniel Alexander Payne, the 19th century African American educator, ecumenist, and bishop in the African Methodist Episcopal Church. I continue to be amazed, encouraged, and challenged by his life. I would appreciate any reflections that you might have about this remarkable person of the church.