Rain, Rain, Go Away!

Dear Friends,

Greetings from Montreat Presbyterian Conference Center, near Asheville, NC. Doug and I are here for the Worship and Music Conference, and, I must say, it has been amazing so far--and we just arrived yesterday! We are staying at Assembly Inn, a turn-of-the-century lodge built of stone. Since it was built before the electronic age, we are living without air-conditioning--and the humidity has been damp, to say the least. Last night it started to rain--and it rained for 40 days and 40 nights--well, perhaps that is a slight exaggeration--but it has rained heavily until just a couple of hours ago. I have two pairs of shoes drying out on the radiator--and there is no heat in the radiator (maybe they will dry by the power of suggestion). I should have brought my flip-flops!

Worship here has been glorious, in spite of the weather. We have had vivid colors, magnificent singing (imagine a congregation where about 90 percent of the folks are choir members), outstanding preaching, and the conference organist, John Ferguson, is the director of the choirs of St. Olaf College. You may have heard some of his work on the Sunday morning radio program, "Sing for Joy." You would probably be amazed at the huge number of youth who are here. You would almost think it was a Youth Conference, except for the many "more aged" persons like me. We are learning new music and some wonderful ideas for worship.

I am writing to you from the lobby in Assembly Inn. There is a huge fireplace, walls of stone, mountains all around, and at the moment, one of the folks here is playing Clair de Lune on the baby grand piano.

Sunday I will be worshiping at First Christian Church in Black Mountain, yet another venture beyond our denominational walls. It is good to be with those who love and follow Jesus Christ as they gather to worship God. My thoughts are with you who love him, too, and who are gathering in Blacksburg each week, and faithfully caring for one another while we are gone. May God bless you all.

Peace,

Linda

Beach Weather!

Dear Friends,

We have returned home after two weeks at Litchfield Beach, SC. It was a very full time for us, in more ways than one. We had a home a couple of blocks from the beach (called "Simpson Sea-renity"), where we could host Tony, Jenny, Nathan, Aaron, and Mary. It was great having some quality time with them. Chris and Heather were unable to join us, but we felt quite blessed with the children, and adorable grandson who were with us.

I was able to go with my father for his second chemo treatment. I think the moral support helps, and he did very well with the treatment, and also the treatments for increasing white and red blood counts.

June 4 I worshiped with the folks at Victory Christian Fellowship in Georgetown, SC. This was a very different experience from our usual at Northside. Victory has a praise band rather than a choir, and lyrics projected on large screens rather than a hymnal. I didn't know a single thing we sang, so I can identify with some of you when I pick an unfamiliar hymn! The sermon was based on the story of the Three Little Pigs (I'll let you figure out the connection!). I had interesting and profitable meetings with the two pastors, Chip Judd and Rod Reid, and with the two worship team leaders. Apparently there is more to this style of worship than I had supposed.

June 11 I was back in my own tradition for Trinity Sunday, at Pawley's Island Presbyterian Church. I met with Frank Holsclaw, pastor, Rhett Talbert, associate pastor (an old classmate from seminary days), and the whole worship committee. These conversations about worship are proving to be so stimulating for me, and, I think, for the churches involved. Everyone has expressed gratitude for the opportunity to think more systematically about worship decisions.

As we were planning our beach times, Doug was certain that we would be a bullseye for all hurricanes and other natural disasters to strike. It seems he was almost right! Tropical storm Alberto went right over us Wednesday, although we didn't notice much except lots and lots of rain, and a bit of a bluster. The rest of the time, the weather was glorious!

We returned Friday evening in time for the rehearsal and wedding of my nephew, Wes Dickerson, and his bride, Kendall. I was able to participate in that service also, at New Century Church in Salem. We had a great time, and enjoyed visiting with family and friends. Today we celebrated Father's Day with Aaron and Mary, and Doug is pleased to have heard from all of his children--on time! We are still so grateful to you all for our time to enjoy Sabbath--even when the "rest" is very eventful!

Grace and Peace to you all,

Linda

Wedding Bells!

Dear Friends,

We have just returned from a delightful weekend in Northern Virginia. I co-officiated at the wedding of Zach Walrond (my nephew) and Aubrielle Smith. Bride and Groom were both gorgeous, and everything went off without a hitch. Mothers of Bride and Groom both made it, too! Sunday morning, I worshiped at St. Paul United Methodist Church, and later met with the Rev. Denise Bates, the Associate Pastor, about how they do worship, and why they do it the way they do. Their congregation is a bit larger than ours. They have two services on Sundays, mainly traditional, although Denise says she would call it "blended."

We've had a few days at home this week, before taking off for South Carolina, and spending time with my parents, and our children Aaron, Chris, and Tony, and their spouses, and our grandson, Nathan. We have lots of prayer requests for you all. Besides safe travel for all concerned, there is a lot going on in the family. My Dad has his second chemotherapy Tuesday; and the few days following are not too pleasant. My Mother's back is doing much better, and she will have a radio frequency treatment later in June. Tony has taken a new job in Kernersville, NC, so the family will be moving after the house sells (meanwhile, he is staying in "extended stay"). Aaron goes to Captain's school in August and will probably not return to Ft. Bragg, so he and Mary are also putting their house on the market. We certainly appreciate all your prayers.

Over the next two weeks, we worship at Victory Christian Fellowship in Georgetown, SC (praise band, very loud--should be quite different from our usual Sunday fare) and Pawley's Island Presbyterian Church. While we miss you lots, it is really great to worship with other Christians on Sundays. And I'm learning lots!

Grace and Peace to all the Saints at Northside,

Linda