A Gentle Man - Wesley Edwards

Wesley Edwards, who "crossed over the river" this past Saturday, May 10, age 77, enjoyed writing and shared several meaningful devotions with us in the annual Crescent Hill Advent booklets which are posted below.  I saw him just three weeks ago at Kroger and asked him if he'd written any more poems or essays.  He said, "No, not yet."  Now, he's in a position to inspire us to pick up our own pens and carry on his legacy.  Thank you Wesley.  -- John Arnett

December 5, 1983
John 14:25
Peace

Worldly calm is often interrupted. A young child sometimes feels displaced by a new baby. Changes at school or work disrupt us. A broken air conditioner or dishwasher alters our domestic lifestyle. Both farmers and resort operators depend upon favorable weather. We are anxious when a fledgling bird is learning to hop about, and hope its wings will mature before it is caught by a predator. Our peace of mind is disturbed by political and economic turmoil in Central America and the Middle East.

 Peace comes in knowing that God sent His Son Jesus to reassure us of the newness of life. He grew to manhood to help us to understand the trials and tribulations of this world, while offering us God's peace that lasts and sustains us in facing all our concerns, fears, and anxieties. Peace: an inner serenity amidst the storms of life.

Just as you gave Mary and Joseph peace to sustain them during Jesus' childhood, make us aware of your presence wherever we are. Amen.

 --Wesley Edwards

December 15, 1983
Matthew 10:31
Joy

One of our family joys is feeding the birds, especially the cardinals. Even in the summer I put out small amounts of sunflower seeds, often on demand. The cardinals have learned that I am the dispenser of these delicacies. During early summer, upon seeing me leave the house or come home via the garage they follow and chirp at a close distance in the tree branches above, often being only a few feet away. Once they were eating, they would sometimes continue to chirp as if to express gratitude.

In the same way, we need to express our special gratitude to God, who knows we have special needs and are possessed of an inner hunger. Jesus came to fill that need. Among other ways, we express our joy at His coming with hymns of praise and thanksgiving. Somehow, I like to think there were birds present at His birth. Are they not still singing His praise?

O God; as we take joy in Christmas and nature around us, help us to know You are the provider.

 --Wesley Edwards

December 22, 1985
Luke 2:10-11

One of my favorite memories of Disney World is the journey through "It's a Small, Small World," during which the dolls and characters sing the entire song. We did not really need the rain as an excuse to experience that event again. The tune, the words, and the animation were so appealing. All the characters of the various cultures around the world seemed to flow together like rivers into an ocean. I can still see the dolls curtseying, waving, smiling, and charming us as our boat eased by them.

If we are moved by a Disney fantasy, how much more must we be moved by the reality of God's coming to this "small, small world" in the person of the Christ Child? God's love flowed from heaven so that all of His children everywhere might know that this world is small enough for Him to love and care for us all. The reality of Jesus beckons all cultures to embrace Him and each other, in affirming that "It's a Small, Small World."

God, help us remember that Jesus came for all the world and that we are all Your children. Amen.

 --Wesley Edwards

December 6, 1988
Matthew 2:2

When did my traditions formulate? Was it with parents or visiting with grandparents in rural Georgia? Is it the now with Crescent Hill family, particularly our preschoolers as they participate in the Hanging of the Greens service?

Was it from a high school girl's simple, yet spine-tingling rendition of "O Holy Night?" Or Arnold Epley's soul-searching "Sweet Little Jesus Boy?" Did my first exposure to the Messiah in Mercer University's choir lead to joining Carol Anne on Christmas Day to listen to the complete Messiah?

Is exploring "O Tannebaum" on the piano in recent years perhaps still part of searching for that perfect tree as a lad scouring far-reaching property with a favorite aunt? Or is it our first married Christmas and that scrawny, two-foot model snatched from a barren Fort Hood reservation which still stands as our memory's sentinel over our present-day trees?

Perhaps it's Carol Anne's Yankee heritage where we trim the tree on Christmas Eve, with crismons and other hand-made ornaments. Maybe it's the illuminated star atop, a father's gift for a Connecticut child's third Christmas, and our tree remaining up until Epiphany which serves to unify traditions and also leads us to the Christ Child with the wise men.

Is it Mary's earliest memory of Christmas "lighting the candles" on the Advent wreath each evening? Of Lyle and Mary growing to read scripture and readings, first haltingly and then with sureness!

It is each of these separately and in combination that have nourished and sustained me in the faith.

Wherever we are, with grandparents, other family or friends, at home, alone, traveling, on a reservation, in an elevator, we need to be Christmas to each other.

Loving Father God, We thank You for the memories and support of family and loved ones over the span of our varied lives.

--Wesley Edwards

December 23, 1989
Matthew 18:5

As a child in rural Georgia, I experienced the excitement of the birth process. I was fascinated by seeing a hen settling in to nest. We would circle about 21 eggs in pencil in order to notice any fresh eggs laid when she was away from the nest. I would wait and watch for three weeks. Toward the 18th and 19th days, I could press an egg to my ear and faintly hear a soft peep. Soon, the eggs would be pipped (cracked). The chicks would emerge wet and wobbly, soon drying under their mother's warm body.

Next, heads would start inching out, like curious turtles. In a day or two with empty stomachs and craving curiosity, the chicks would be led out in search of food by their mother. night the chicks would nestle safely under and around their mother's warm hovering body.

Similarly, all of us joyfully hear the announcement of a baby to be born. We make ready for the baby's birth by anticipating and sharing gifts, experiences, and advice. We celebrate the arrivals. We watch and help that baby grow ....

We teach them many things. A small circle in Jesus' world anticipated his birth. They celebrated finding him, amongst God's simplest creatures--the animals. Jesus then had to be taught about growing up. But more so, he had to teach us about growing--about growing closer to God. Those of us who work with preschoolers know it still happens that way. Like Jesus, they are surely closer to His Kingdom.

O loving God, help us to understand the love and nurturing you give us through your little ones.

 -- Wesley Edwards

Wednesday, December 1, 1993
LET THERE BE LIGHT

The Word was the source of life, and this life brought light to mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has never put it out. John 1:4-5 (Good News)

Growing up in rural Georgia, I spent countless cloudless evenings studying and surveying the heavens, looking for God and meaning to life.

An endless canopy of stars opened up, like a lightning bug festival in outer space, the expansive Milky Way as a handle for the picnic basket.

The stillness of the night was only altered by stars dancing in staccato, seeming to twinkle and emitting tiny sparks like sparklers on the Fourth of July that reached and tingled my bare arms.

The breath-taking silence was cadenced only by an occasional awareness of my own slow and steady breathing inhaling the huge panorama. Other times that silence was punctuated by the forlorn cry of a nearby whippoorwill luring me back.

Even on cold, frosty evenings, as the wonder and awe drew and crystallized my into miniature sparkling stars, I was beginning to fathom that I and all mankind, part of God's grand scheme, a plan for love and redemption. I sensed that a wonderful and powerful God had created and ordered the universe. Each visible star was a lone, special guardian angel watching out, just for me.

When my faith lapses or falters, nothing draws me nearer than another heavenly scan. Sometimes I recall that the wise men needed only one star, pointing to Jesus' birth, God's exclamation mark of love for us.

Dear God, however, wherever, and from whomever we perceive your light, may it draw us toward your Kingdom. Amen

--Wesley Edwards

Wednesday, December 28, 1994
BAELY NEEDS A RAINBOW
Luke 2:25-38

We were sitting on the floor, alone, Baely and I, waiting for big church. This was the Sunday when the kindergartners visit the worship hour. We had been looking at and talking about our group picture of places girls and boys could pray. The subject of beauty and color had surfaced. "I have never seen a rainbow," Baely announced-- sadly. "I keep trying to, but I haven't seen one. Every time it rains, I look for one," she continued forlornly. "Every time it rains, I go to the window. Sometimes, I sit under a chair on the porch. I look everywhere but don't see one. Some day, I hope I will see one."

I promised to show her some photographs, but she dejectedly replied, "That won't be my rainbow."

On Baely went. Her five-minute-forever-waits always came up empty-handed. Yet, out of the unfulfilled blush of colors, a new hope kept springing up. Her five-year-old simplicity carried an almost adult-like patience and persistence, akin perhaps to the aged Anna and Simeon at the Jerusalem Temple, endlessly, yet continuously waiting at the Temple for their own rainbow, the promised Messiah.

And Baely's five innocent years, or all that she can remember, have been unblessed by a rainbow, I'll never see another rainbow without my heart standing beside Baely, wishing she could finally find her own special Technicolor dream--alive in a rainbow.

O God, May our small spectrum of light reflect beyond ourselves to Your permanent rainbow-Jesus. Amen.

-- Wesley Edwards

Thursday, December 26, 1996
The Gift of Presence
Luke 21:1-4

Just before Christmas, my mother’s sister would travel by train from Washington, D.C., to Athens and then by car to Washington, Georgia.  At my grandparents, Aunt Lorene would sleep off the long trip.  She was a night-owl anyway.  On Christmas, I had two nagging questions:  “When would I see her?  What did she bring me?”  She always managed to get us five nieces and nephews something inexpensive, yet special.

As I weaved in and out of children’s games and adult conversations, I became increasingly anxious.  What was it this year?  But the time came and presents seemed to have gone around quickly, sometimes before I was ready with my Brownie Hawkeye camera and the next bulb.  Now those memories flash back so clearly, even after 37 years.

Through a strong faith in God, my aunt adopted an extended family.  Our daughter Mary has her middle name.  In Washington, D.C., she lived with and cared for an aging friend.   For over 20 years in D.C. she provided a haven for my family and me.  Ten years ago, she moved her warmth, love, and acceptance to Washington, Georgia.  Her wit has challenged us in conversation and late-night scrabble games.  Now with a frail body, but a strong mind, she shares memories with us.  Her motto has always been, “Hand out, wear out, burn out; but don’t leave out or rust out.”  If she wanted to do something, she made plans, rarely having to cancel.  A few years ago, she rode past her family’s fears and all medical odds on a lengthy trip back to D.C.

Who can measure what our gifts of time and presence can mean to others?  Without counting her costs and with few resources my aunt paved a clear road of gratitude.

-- Wesley Edwards

O God, help us to give the widow’s mite in our commitment to your kingdom.  Amen

Good Samaritan

On May 1st, 1983 during the weekend of celebrating CHBC's 75th anniversary, Dr. John R. Claypool preached the following sermon on the Good Samaritan: 

Remembering Monaei

Last week I happened to hear "Gentle on My Mind," (John Hartman & Glen Campbell,) and I was struck by the opening lyrics:

"It's knowing that your door is always open
And your path is free to walk
That makes me tend to leave my sleeping bag
Rolled up and stashed behind your couch
And It's knowing I'm not shackled 
By forgotten words and bonds
And the ink stains that have dried upon some line
That keeps you in the backroads
By the rivers of my mem'ry
That keeps you ever gentle on my mind." 

As the church moves toward being a "welcoming and affirming" community, I imagined that "your door" could refer to the church or to Jesus or to Monaei.  We have the opportunity as Peter did toward Cornelius to open our arms to all who wish to join us on this journey of faith.  Monaei embodied such hospitality all her life with us.

Toward the end of the song are images that call to mind sharing communion: 

"I dip my cup of soup back from the gurglin'
Cracklin' cauldron in some train yard" 

"Through cupped hands 'round a tin can
I pretend I hold you to my breast and find
That you're waving from the backroads
By the rivers of my mem'ry
Ever smilin' gentle on my mind." 

-- John Arnett (with a tip of the hat to Greg Pope) 

Remembering Monty Justice (1928 - 2012)

Monty Justice was a long time member of Crescent Hill and coached many of the youth here in basketball and softball. He later moved his membership to Hurstborne Baptist Church but continued to sing at Crescent Hill with the Singing Seniors until a year before he died Feb 6, 2012 at age 84. Bill Johnson gave the eulogy at his funeral which many Crescent Hill members attended. It's not surprising that Jennifer Lawrence would have counted him as one of her role models, and in spirit Monty was in the audience Sunday night applauding her achievement. -jwa

WDRB news story about Jennifer Lawrence's remembering Monty Justice

Transcript: LOUISVILLE, KY. (WDRB) -- It's the talk of the town -- Jennifer Lawrence's Oscar win Sunday night. One woman whose late husband coached her years ago in the Upward Basketball program says she can speak to the 22-year-old actress' humility.

Becky Justice says Lawrence wrote a letter to her husband Monty, who died last year, thanking him for his guidance and inspiring her to follow her dreams.

Monty died a month before then, but she says she was touched to know the actress remembered her Louisville roots.

"She had achieved some fame," Justice said, "and to think she took some time to thank someone that had helped her back when she was in the fourth grade, I am just so grateful now for this opportunity to say 'thank you' to her."

This was the actress' first Oscar, but second nomination. She was nominated for an Academy Award for her role in Winter's Bone last year.

Copyright 2013 WDRB News. All Rights Reserved.

Grady Nutt (1934 - 1982)

Thirty years ago, November 23, 1982, Grady Nutt, died in a plane crash at the young age of 48.  He, Eleanor, Toby, and Perry were members of Crescent Hill Baptist Church and Grady & Eleanor taught a class of seminary students.  Grady (and later Eleanor) was a deacon of the church and teamed up with Paul Duke to write the lyrics to the “Crescent Hill Hymn” which was introduced during the 1981 installation of  pastor Stephen Shoemaker.  The life of Grady Nutt and his work as a humorist and author/theologian are well documented on many of the internet sites listed below (see especially the Official and Unofficial Grady Nutt sites).

Grady was the featured preacher for at least two Youth Sundays called Interrobang?!  As our own 30 year tribute to Grady and in appreciation for the gift of his ministry among us we share the following sermons below:

September 20, 1981:  “Abraham”

September 1982:  “Lambskins and Lampshades” (Gideon)

Thanks to Steven Cole for converting the cassette recordings to mp3 format.

“Crescent Hill Hymn”

http://www.chbcky.org/crescent-hill-hymn/

1976 Deacons (Grady standing 6th from left) Click on photo for sharper image with listing of names.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grady_Nutt

brief  biographical sketch on wikipedia

http://www.gradynutt.com/

Official Grady Nutt site

http://www.the-cartoonist.com/Nutt/Nutt.html

Unofficial Grady Nutt site

http://sites.silaspartners.com/CC_Content_Page/0,,PTID325566_CHID716370,00.html

Grady Nutt Collection at the SBTS

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0638336/

IMDb filmography

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I6w-HkQrxgQ

YouTube “Gospel According to Grady Nutt” at Baylor

Homecoming

Etc. on Google

"If you want your dream to grow. . ."

Quinn Chipley shared some of his spriitual journey with the Solidarity Sunday School Class in early September (2012) and referenced a movie and lyric that had been especially meaningful to him over the years.  The song,  "Gentle Heart"  by Donovan is from the movie, Brother Sun, Sister Moon  (1972) by Franco Zeffirelli and has the lyric, "If you want your dream to grow..." Click on the song title and you'll see a Youtube version. 

Thanks Quinn,

John Arnett

The Aurora shooter

Reflections After Seeing the Aurora Accused Killer on CNN

by Mera Cossey Corlett on Monday, July 23, 2012 at 2:06pm · 

 

Whacko. Nut job. Crazy ass. These are references on my newsfeed about the young man accused of Aurora killings. All I can think is how familiar he seems. How he reminds me of my daughter's college friends. How frequently I see his figure loping down Bardstown Road.  Mostly, I note how he resembles countless 20-somethings I met on forensic units during my tenure as chaplain at our state psychiatric hospital.

Imagine regaining a few grains of sanity only to discover you'd been living (sometimes for months and years) in states of delusion and had awakened to find yourself in a nightmare. The alien you'd shot to protect your family had been a sheriff's deputy. The little brother you adored was dead--at your own hand. He wasn't the anti-Christ;the voices had lied. The reason your family never brought your tiny daughter to visit was because you had "known" she'd be brutally gang-raped" over & over" if she was ever out of your sight so you had drowned her (to save her) in a dish pan.

None of us know what happened last Friday night, what precipitated this horrific event. But before any of us scoffs "He'll just enter an insanity plea," know mental illness is real and more awful than most of us can ever imagine. Let us pray for the victims and their loved ones. God grant us grace to pray, likewise, for the accused and his loved ones...and the courage to work for a world who cares for some of our society's most vulnerable persons.

*Mera Corlett posted the above on her Facebook page.

"Three Gates"

During the Wednesday night meeting last evening Bill Johnson asked if people could remember words of wisdom others had shared that would help us to become a more civil society.  I mentioned a poem often quoted by Hilda Spalding.  The poem is entitled, “Three Gates.” 

         “Three Gates”

If you are tempted to reveal
A tale to you someone has told
About another, make it pass,
Before you speak, three gates of gold.
These narrow gates: First, "Is it true?"
Then, "Is it needful?" In your mind
Give truthful answer. And the next
Is last and narrowest, "Is it kind?"
And if to reach your lips at last
It passes through these gateways three,
Then you may tell the tale, nor fear
What the result of speech may be.

-- from The Arabian

I then mentioned that in this age of Face Book, Twitter, blogs, and e-mail we need to be especially mindful of these "Three Gates" of gold.

John Arnett

Homework Helpers

Community seems to develop anywhere people regularly come together and have time to interact in unstructured or less-structured ways. So it has been for me with Homework Helpers. Several years ago Jason Crosby asked in particular for helpers who could aid some of our Karen youth with math homework. When I started college many years ago I intended to become a high school math teacher. Calculus and differential equations proved less intuitive than math had been for me up to that time, and behavioral psychology was an immediate draw, but statistical analysis in psychology was one of my areas of study and relative expertise, so when Jason asked for math help I volunteered, along with several others who also tutor math.

The young folks I work with vary across several high school grades, and so are doing a range of kinds of math. Simple algebra, simultaneous equations, graphical solutions, plane geometry, trigonometry (and the occasional application I have to google and study a bit to understand), all show up unpredictably from week to week. So far I’ve been able to help with most of the work, though I do ask for help from H. B. Brady or Max Mason at times. The young folks thank us for our help very graciously, and one proudly showed me his grade reports, all A’s and B’s, including in his algebra class. I’m sure we’re doing good work.

But what is a bit surprising to me is how I have come to feel in community in the youth room while we tutor. When I walk in folks glance up and greet me. While we wait to see which students need which kinds of help this night, I might end up visiting with Margie Ash or Beverly Baker or Sara Jo Hooper or H. B. or some of the other folks who are there to help. And between students some of the same conversations spring up. I feel a clear sense of caring among us. Part of it, I believe, is from our sharing a task and a goal to help our students. But part of it too I believe is personal, all our caring for one another, in community that has developed.

Tom Ehrich, noted Christian author and church growth consultant, speaks of multi-channel churches, churches that have recognized Sunday worship is no longer the main function of churches that are going to thrive (or survive). These churches have vital web presences, a variety of active small groups, and various activities for interested members or others during the week. Each of these draws somewhat different folks into the community, and our Homework Helpers seems to be a nice example of part of what Ehrich has described.

John Birkimer

Advent Meditations 2011

“Join the Journey”

Advent Booklett 2011 now online
(Previous Advent meditations may be viewed online - see About Us/History/Advent Meditations)

Thanks to all who wrote for this year's Advent devotional booklett.

John Arnett

Nancy Howard - Advent Meditations

Nancy Howard, who passed away Monday, Oct 24, provided a glimpse into her big heart with three Advent Meditations copied below:

Wednesday, December 17, 2003
Curly and Ruth Howard
Ephesians 6:2-3

Of course, we did not know that Christmas 1958 was Dad's last.  "We" were Mike, Pat, Nancy, and Jane, the stair-step children of Curly and Ruth Howard, young adults home for Christmas.  We sensed each of us had come home from having gone on a search for autonomy, and that our search had brought a mature sense of love for and connectedness to family, a desire to be back with our parents in that funny stucco house in Hollywood, Florida: Home.

This new sense of connectedness brought a special appreciation of each other.  We rejoiced in the recognition of what family meant to us, what we had to give each other.  There were lots of funny (and sad) stories, lots of laughter as we shared this new love that connected us all.

Come February, we would scatter Dad's ashes in the Gulf Stream of the Atlantic Ocean, his second home.  This burly, caring man, who led us on our exciting journey from the Midwest to booming, post-World War II Florida, was unexpectedly gone from our lives.  Looking back from February to that Christmas, we knew it had been the best Christmas we had had, an enchanting time made more special by Dad's premature death.

Forty-two years later, Curly and Ruth's children gathered in Florida to celebrate the life of Ruth Ward Howard.  With families and extended families, we once again told our stories -- some the same as before, many new.  The next generations witnessed and became part of these stories that bind our loving Christian family together.  Though linked with the loss of Ruth (Mother/ Grandmother/Great Grandmother/ Mother-in-Law), we find our lives together are meaningful because of her life and witness.

How graced we were to have had such loving, faith-filled parents.

Prayer: Thank you for loving parents who model your love to us.  Amen.

Nancy Howard

Friday, December 2, 2005
The Tree 

Scripture: Then Samuel took a stone, set it up between Mizpah and Shen, and said: “The Lord has helped us all the way”—and he named it Ebenezer “Stone of Help . . .”    I Samuel 7:12

Some years ago I read an article about the history and symbolism associated with the Christmas tree. One writer suggested naming your tree “an Ebenezer” to symbolize how the Lord has helped you/us. The Ebenezer described in I Samuel was established to remind the Israelites that God had helped them defeat the Philistines. The second verse of the great hymn: “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing” reads “Here I raise my Ebenezer hither by thy help I come”--a reference to Ebenezer in I Samuel. So each year, when I erect my Christmas tree, I place a sign on its branches that reads: “Here I raise my Ebenezer: God with us.”

Across the years I’ve had all manner of Christmas trees. I remember the year Mother sent my color-blind brother to buy a tree. He brought home a beautiful tree; however, it was mostly brown. We couldn’t afford another tree so we sprayed it with green paint and still enjoyed it. My first tree in my first apartment after college was a real trip. I thought it likewise lovely but by Christmas all the needles had fallen off. It looked like something out of the Adams family—bare branches with lights and ornaments hanging down. Big or little, real or artificial, cheap or expensive—each time, no matter its state, on goes the sign. It reminds me over and over of how God, through his son, has established the ultimate Ebenezer.

Dear Lord, help us to remember that through the tinsel, trees, lights and festivities of Christmas that the real gift is your beloved Son.

Nancy Howard

Advent 2009
“And We Shall Live Forevermore Because of Christmas Day” ["Mary's Boy Child"]

In 1957 a lovely Christmas song was introduced by Harry Belafonte. Each Christmas I hope and long to hear this meaningful song. Here are the words that were sung with a bit of a Jamaican-Calypso sound:

Long time ago in Bethlehem, so the Holy Bible say,
Mary’s boy child Jesus Christ was born on Christmas day.

Chorus:
Hark now hear the angels sing, a new king born today
And we shall live forevermore, because of Christmas day

Trumpets sound and angels sing, listen what they say
That we shall live forevermore, because of Christmas Day

While shepherds watched their flocks by night
Them see a bright new shining star
Them hear a choir sing, the music seemed to come from afar.

Chorus:

Now Joseph and his wife Mary, they come to Bethlehem that night,
Them find no place to born the child, not a single room in sight.

Chorus:

By and by them found a little nook in a stable all forlorn
And in a manger cold and dark, Mary’s little boy was born.

Chorus: 

Of course I love the song for its message. I have also always appreciated the contributions of Harry Belafonte – an African American man who grew up in a time when he was not always welcome. We appreciate him in many ways today. We celebrate his lovely song with its special message to each of us – “we shall live for ever more because of Christmas Day.”

Nancy Howard

     photo taken Oct 8, 2011 -- 1st prayer retreat at Hieb's farm

Nancy's obituary in Courier-Journal.  She was 76yo.

Allen Bartlett and the Transportation Ministry

TRANSPORTATION MINISTRY

Providing transportation for people has been a ministry of Crescent Hill Baptist Church for many, many years.  When Eileen and I joined CHBC in 1995, the blue van was being used to pick up members who were no longer driving.  David Graves, as coordinator, recruited me to help in the pickups during the late 1990’s. At that time, only one van was needed to pick up these loyal members. The drivers rotated driving the van.

CHBC acquired a second van, the red van, to assist in the pickups for the afterschool program, another ministry of CHBC. The afterschool program used the two vans to pick up the students until recently when the afterschool program was discontinued.

When the refugees from Burma started arriving in Louisville over four years ago and found their way to CHBC, another transportation opportunity opened itself up for our church. Additional drivers were recruited to expand the Sunday transportation. Soon both vans were used for Sunday transportation. People kept coming to Crescent Hill Baptist Church. New individuals and families were invited to Crescent Hill Baptist Church by the families who felt comfortable with us. It was not long before our two vans could not carry all who wanted to come.

The church voted to hire a bus to pick up people at Americana Apartments (off Southside Drive) while the two vans picked up at other locations on Sundays. At the present time, the church hires two buses (the yellow school buses that you see) and the blue and red van are also used.  Approximately 120-150 additional people are coming to Crescent Hill Baptist Church. Second Presbyterian Church started letting Crescent Hill Baptist Church use their 24 passenger bus since the family they sponsored was coming to CHBC.  Glen Bellou and I each obtained a Commercial Drivers License in order to drive the 24 passenger bus. Recently, CHBC purchased that bus from Second Presbyterian Church since they were not using it.

Jason Crosby coordinates the transportation of the youth who attend CHBC’s Wednesday tutoring sessions after school. The tutoring sessions provide a much needed educational assistance to these young people. There are six CHBC drivers who rotate on a three week cycle to take these youth home after the Wednesday youth program. Approximately 15-20 youth are transported every Wednesday during the school year.

In all, there are 9 CHBC members providing transportation on Wednesday nights and Sunday. For special childrens and youth programs, transportation is needed. Other programs have the capability to use CHBC vehicles too. Transportation is very much a ministry for me and CHBC.

Among the van and bus drivers have been these:  Barbara Allen, Allen Bartlett, Andy Bates, Josh Bailes, Glen Bellou, Jeff Chandler, Steve Clark, Jason Crosby, Annette Ellard, David Graves, Margaret Graves, Joy Henry, Jed Johnson, John McIntee, Ellen Massey, Lewis Miller, Lance Springs, Rae Taylor, Frank Woggon, Andrea Woolley, et al.

(If you have ideas for a future article, please contact Anne-Britton Arnett at 896-2337.)

Bob Hieb - Working Together

It has always amazed me what a group of people coming  together with single mind are able to accomplish.  It was so with the remodeling of Fellowship Hall a couple of years ago.   We were underfunded for the project yet felt that Beverly Baker’s  plans so well designed needed to be completed . We decided that we could save the $50,000 underfunding and still complete the project as designed if we did the work ourselves.  As you remember, we took out the old stage ourselves, removed the old floor ourselves and installed the paneling and columns ourselves. When we asked for volunteers, we had 40-50 people show up. I can remember that we had planned on a 6-hour day to remove the stage, clean the lumber, load it on trucks, and clean the room. By 11:00 the entire area was removed and cleaned — and we even took a 9:00 coffee and donut break! The same happened with the floor removal. The Karen members were operating the chipping hammers to remove the tough spots. Woody Ford sized and milled the baseboard. Tom Solley donated the plywood paneling, and many of you helped in painting. Even the youth helped to clean the ceiling grids. When the grids were cleaned, the ceiling tiles looked too discolored to keep. Gaga Woodward agreed to give the financial support to renew and replace the tiles. The final result was a completed project that everyone was pleased with and that was completed with available funds — no borrowing. Even the spoken support during the remodeling was an immense help in getting the work done. When we come together on all of our projects and programs, we can accomplish similar results.

(If you have ideas for a future article, please contact Anne-Britton Arnett at 896-2337.)

Anne-Britton Arnett -- A Neat Story

I have a neat little story to share.  I was walking down the street today with an Indian guy that I work with.  Note, he doesn’t work FOR me, just a guy that I interface with in my day to day dealings, so I don’t know him well.  He mostly knows me b/c I run the end of month Financial close cycle for my company, and he is sometimes involved in that.  He used to help me out a lot during our end of month, until we finally got it under control, and it is now monitored by an offshore team in India.  He probably still receives my e-mails about end of month, though.  Today, I knew we had two blocks to walk together, and I was trying to figure out what in the heck we would talk about.  He started the conversation.  It went like this:

F:  How is your church?

AB:  Fine, great.  How do you know about my church?  (surprised about the topic, considering that he’s a Hindu, and I didn’t think interested in a Christian American church)

F:  I’ve heard you talk about it many times in the past.

AB:  Really?  Well, I love it.  I’m on the Finance team, isn’t that ironic, considering that’s what I spend my work week life dealing with.  (laughing a little bit)

F:  So what types of things do you address being on the Finance team?

AB:  Well, we’ve been reading a neat book about …. (and I gave him a synopsis of it)  You never really think about these things until you’re trying to raise money for a church. 

F:  What types of issues do you address?

AB:  You’d never believe it, but we’ve been doing some data analysis, kind of like we do here.  It’s funny, you’d never think of doing analytics at a church, but we’ve learned a lot of interesting things about givers.  Like why people give, etc.

***now, we’re nearing our destination….you can imagine I’ve given him a diatribe on the book what we’ve learned, our analysis (without specifics, of course)****

F:  I always want to give money to a cause and know it’s being used for good, not just to an administrative organization.  I’d like to give some money to your church, since you’re always so passionate about it.  Can I do that in an anonymous fashion somehow?

AB:  (guess my reaction)  SURE!  I’ll give you the address, you can send in a check, I’ll never know about it.  We will of course not turn you down!!!  Thanks!

I thought that was the most interesting conversation I’ve ever had.  It’s amazing to me how I don’t consider myself out there honking the evangelical horn, yet I’ve made some type of an impact.  I don’t think this guy is going to become Christian, but he wants to give some money to a good cause, and know it’s working for good.

It’s an inspiration that we never know who recognizes our passion and faith.  I was so inspired, wanted to share with you all.  I don’t think this guy will give a lot, but how neat!

Later on AB wrote R:

I have been reflecting on our conversation all day. I don't think I can convey to you how much it meant to me. I don't ever think of myself as the type who is out there beating people over the head with my religion. But somehow you knew how passionate I am about my faith and my church. And you must trust that we do good in the lives of others. And you must think I reflect some of that good.

Thank you so much for that brief conversation. I know you are probably of a different faith. But our collective God lives in all of us, and it is up to each of us to represent all that is good in our faith to the world around us.

I value your friendship, thanks for your trust in me and those around us who try to instill the greater Good.

Her friend responded:

AB,

Thanks for your comments. I, too, value your friendship. I also have lot of trust and admire for you, not just because of our professional association and your professional competencies but also due to some of these exceptional qualities in you. Keep it up.

Yes I am from different faith and religion but believe that God is one and lives in all of us. Sometime we will talk more on these things also……

(If you have ideas for a future article, please contact Anne-Britton Arnett at 896-2337.)

Kelley Woggon - Youth investment

What parent of a teenager wouldn’t want to hear these words:  of course we want to go to church tonight!  That is what I hear from my two girls all the time. The thought of having to miss a single event that happens for the youth group is unthinkable to them.  It often feels cliche to say that the young people are the future of the church, but we know that, in fact, they are.  So the investment that we are making right now in our youth group is some of the best ways that we can use the ministry money of the church. 

            As I write this my girls are with the youth in Georgia at Passport.  Sending a group of nearly 50 away for a week is not an inexpensive undertaking but is worth every  penny.  It is the absolute highlight of Hannah and Erin’s entire year!  I think it surpasses Christmas.  There they experience fun and inspirational worship experiences, Bible study, mission work of some sort and lots of joy and laughter.  They also learn that we, their church family, want them to have that experience of camp because we have supported them in their fundraisers all year and helped to make it possible. 

            By supporting the youth ministry of our church we make it possible for them to do a variety of activities together that forge life long friendships and positive experiences of what being church is, what being Christian means in the treacherous world in which they are growing up.  They have an amazing youth lounge to come to and be together.  They know that the adults of the church wanted them to have a place they could call their own.

            Finally, the most visible way that our ministry dollars are at work is through the day to day ministry of Jason Crosby.  As we, as a larger church family of Americans and immigrants seek to understand one another better, Jason is an inspiration.  He knows the names and family connections of all young people in the church.  I am grateful to Jason for the ways that he is helping my girls walk in the way of Jesus.

(If you have ideas for a future article, please contact Anne-Britton Arnett at 896-2337.)