This week my mind has been thinking of so many wonderful memories gathered from my ministry and my marriage. I think this is the first time I have ever shared a life history in public.
You see, on June 21, I was ordained into a Christian Ministry 65 years ago. On June 28, I was united in marriage to Shirley, 65 years ago. What a wonderful life followed on both occasions.
Ministry: I think of each of the churches I served in Maple Lake, Minnesota; Detroit, Michigan; Seabrook, Maryland (Washington D.C.); Orem, Utah, and Fremont, Michigan. and St. Johns UCC here in Woodland.
Each was very different in size and ministry. In order, I went from a small town with small dairy farms and many lakes, an old-time solid church, to a large city, a medium-sized church, and active civil rights issues [changing neighborhood and open housing], and walked with Dr. King. We left Detroit to go to a new church that started in its second year and had many retired servicemen, government workers, and an active social action committee.
On one hand active in the 'get out of Viet Nam' protests to burying seven young men at Arlington along with eight retirees. Even one burial at Gettysburg.
I met many church and political leaders. I then sought a small church to "catch my breath' and ended up in Orem, Utah, with 36 members and one of two non-Mormon churches in the city. In five years, I added over 100 members and, with the members, built a large fellowship hall. I learned the art of taping drywall!! I moved on to being a senior pastor, where most members were connected to the Gerber Baby Corp. and a stable church.
Then to St. John's UCC, Woodland with a mix of business people, large farms, retirees, and wonderful folk. A church organized in 1891. It was from this church I retired after serving for 15 years.
So after over 3000 sermons, hundreds of clergy corners and church newsletters, civil rights and protest marches, and hundreds of memorial and marriage services, I pray some spiritual inspiration has inspired some to live a more Christlike life and those who have died eternal life in the Kingdom of God.
Marriage: Shirley and I were married in Minnesota and, besides all of the church endeavors, traveled the world together. She has been the joy and light of my life. As a teacher she has also been an inspirational teacher to hundreds of young children. We have had the opportunity to be in all seven continents, and every state in the U.S.
We had two wonderful children, Faith and Todd. Both provided much joy to our lives, and we are proud of each of them. Faith is now retired from the University of Utah and lives just outside of Salt Lake City. Todd works at Sutter General Hospital in Sacramento and lives in Woodland.
Family life has always been fun and filled with much joy and many memories.
Memories: They are to be deeply cherished. Yes, they are the diary of our soul, capturing moments that define who we are. Like anchors, they keep us grounded during the stormy times in life. Memories are the window to the soul to glimpse the essence of our being, the footprints of our journey thru life.
Sometimes we never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory. I think God gave us memories so we may have beautiful moments at the end of our lives. For that, I thank God daily.
So I say to you .... Take care of all of your memories, cherish them, for they are the echoes of your laughter and tears that bloom into beautiful stories. They are the autobiography of your heart.
Blessings, Peace and beautiful memories to all.
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