Wedding Bells

Dear Friends,

I am still on a "high" after the fantastic Festival of Homiletics in Atlanta, but the last few days of organizing, sorting, filing, and throwing away in the home office have, I must confess, taken some of the edge off. It looks to me like the seven years I have spent as your pastor have not been used to keep things orderly at home. Having two offices seems to make more than twice the amount of sermon files, liturgical year ideas, illustrations, etc.

We are off Friday for Northern Virginia, where I will be worshiping at St. Paul United Methodist Church in Woodbridge. The other thing we will be doing at that church is celebrating the marriage of our nephew, Zach Walrond, to Aubrielle Smith. I will be officiating, and my heart is warmed that they asked. The two of them have been part of our church family at Northside, and I thought you might like to see how they looked at VT graduation just a couple of weeks ago (Zach was also commissioned as a 1 Lieutenant in the US Air Force). We are looking forward to being with family and friends for the occasion.

Our daughter-in-law, Mary Teller, has just had her tonsils out, but she is recovering well. Our son, Tony Rathjen, has taken a new job in Kernersville, NC, so he, Jenny, and Nathan will be moving this summer. We are excited, because they will be so much closer, and we can do the "grandparent thing" more often!

Doug and I pray for you regularly, and miss you all a lot!

Peace,

Linda

Festivals!

Dear Friends,
The weekend brought two festivals of graduation. Our nephew, Zach Walrond (who many of you know) and his fiancee, Aubrie Smith, graduated from Virginia Tech, so we proudly spent a whole day at ceremonies. Zach was also commissioned into the US Air Force. Sunday we left for North Carolina, where on Monday, our daughter-in-law, Mary Teller, graduated from Campbell University.

It was on from there to Atlanta, for the Festival of Homiletics (for the unitiated, that means preaching). I have several more days here, and I must say, it has been wonderful! We have had wonderful worship, beautiful music, significant lectures on the art of preaching, and delightful storytelling! In a way, I'm sorry I won't be back right away to share with you some of my new insights. On Sunday, I will be worshiping at Plaza Presbyterian Church in Charlotte on my way back home.

Last night, I had dinner with Isaye Barnwell, lead vocalist with the wonderful African-American women's a capella singing group "Sweet Honey in the Rock." It was great to meet her, and her singing workshop was sensational! I also met Jean Smith, the representative from the Lilly Endowment, who is one of the decision-makers for the grants which enabled the financial side of this sabbatical.

We miss you all a lot, and this week, I also miss Doug, who is keeping the home fires burning while I get "educated."

Peace,

Linda

The Journey Begins

Dear Friends,

Only a week has gone by, and so much has happened! Most of our first week was spent offering care and moral support to my parents in South Carolina. My Mom is having severe back problems, and Dad is preparing to undergo chemotherapy for recurrent cancer. They have been coping by themselves for the past month, and it was time for us to go lend a hand.

As you know, while we were there, we received word that Ed Bender was failing, and subsequently, that he had died. Our grief was compounded by not being here, but I am so grateful for the fine pastoral care given by Rich Pollock. Doug and I returned by the weekend, so I was able to share in Ed's memorial service. He was a wonderful man, and a dear friend. I am so glad that we were in the area, so that I could be with Emily and the Bender family, and with our church family, during this difficult time.

Sunday morning we worshiped at Our Saviour Lutheran Church in Christiansburg, and after church, we met with their pastor, Fred Hodges, and members of their Worship and Music Committee. I think it is going to be a delightful summer, worshiping together with other Christians throughout the Southeast, and having important conversations about what we do "in church" and why.

Please continue to keep Doug and me in your prayers. We miss you!

Peace,

Linda