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.