Alumni Time Capsule

We’ve held drive through communion at First United Methodist Church in Edom, Texas –Rita Sims (DMin’15)

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I want to leave behind and bury a year of worrying about the success or failure of a particular church! God has already saved the church through his son, Jesus Christ. There is no need to save it again! –Rosie Grattan (MDiv’11)

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– David Gambrell (MDiv’98) shown above with his family in their (Zoom) Easter clothes. Below his (tongue in cheek) liturgical contribution to the year.

Don’t Gather Together! Tune: Kremser (“We Gather Together”) ( 1) Don’t gather together! We might be contagious. Our state’s Covid cases are way off the chart. Don’t say it’s courageous; it’s disadvantageous to be here in this place less than six feet apart. (2) Don’t gather together! This room is not airy. I’ve just read the latest from the CDC. Till this sanctuary is not quite so scary the breath of God alone will be breathing on me. (3) Don’t gather together! We’re under the weather. Reschedule the potluck (not anytime soon). Til we are all better don’t be super-spreaders. O come, Emmanuel, and make us immune. (4) Don’t gather together without vaccination; the only thing we want to spread is the Word. Let our congregation escape tribulation. God, grant us antibodies; Lord, save your herd.

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As the parent of a special needs child, wearing masks in 2020 has been very unique. My son constantly chewed on his cloth masks, so I created a 3D printed mask for him. As I realized others had the same challenge, I started making and distributing them for free in my community. I have distributed over 40 so far. - Cody Sandahl (MDiv’07)

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I have been inspired by the creativity that seems to have blossomed since Covid-19 started: poetry, music, art, humor, performances both “serious” and “light” have been quite rampant on the internet. Since the first thing we learn about “God” is that God is creative, I have been blessed to see God even more at work in these challenging and difficult times as the creatures made in the image of God practice even more being who they fundamentally are. - Mike Murray (MDiv’61)

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I served about 300 military personnel and civilians of the We still have a moon that Air Force (USAF), Space Force, and Air National Guard as reflects light in the darkness, the installation chaplain at Clear Air Force Station (as it was reminding us that God then named) in central Alaska. When I arrived in February, brought forth light and God the severity (and even the threat) of the pandemic was not continues to be with us in all fully understood. This changed after about ten days, and by the time March rolled around, the installation had raised the health condition level to its penultimate level. They raised it that high, not because of infections, but because of the threat the station was under if COVID-19 got on the installation. Serving at Clear in -30°F weather is kind of like serving on a giant submarine. People are inside almost all day, and an infection could spread quickly. On top of this, unlike other military installations, if people got sick, there wasn’t much redundancy in personnel. Therefore, anyone coming in from out of state was quarantined. We initially had daily meetings of the Emergency Operations working group, socially distanced, washed hands, and wore masks long before it was underscored in society in general. The active duty personnel were having to deal with being away from their families in a remote environment during a worldwide emergency, which was difficult. “Typical military chaplaincy” turned atypical when I had to come up with techniques to offer worship by myself over WhatsApp and figure out how to support quarantined personnel when we were all confined to quarters for months on end. I would regularly leave "goodie bags" for them and call them on the phone. As the world continues to change, we hold onto the faith and follow the One who calls us. - Tom Paine (MDiv’98)

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WHAT HAS INSPIRED US: The Rev. Dr. Wendell Griffen’s sermon & theological discussion focusing on racism at our recent presbytery meeting. WHAT WE MISS: hugs, congregational hymn singing, before & after worship schmoozing. WHAT WE’VE LEARNED: It is essential to remain involved, the importance of political engagement. WHAT WILL STICK: the power of God’s love & grace & mercy in each & every encounter—not just among church friends. –David (MDiv’97) & Linda Whitworth-Reed (MDiv’08)

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– John Leedy (MDiv’11) Almost every single day this year, I have written down the most insane “2020” thing that happened on earth. (Following is a sample of the 116 things on John’s list): • Murder Hornets • Swarms of Locusts in Africa • American Girl’s new “historical” doll is from 1986 2020? Bummer. But bummers are, well, normal. Life as usual. Life is tough We die when we’ve had enough. So love is here, to help us make it from year to year. – Bill Carr (Dip’80) • Coke Boars regularly leave "goodie bags" for them and call them on the • Meth Gators phone. As the world continues to change, we hold onto the faith and follow the One who calls us. • Mr. Peanut died • CDC warning of Cannibal Rats in NYC • Pentagon releases UFO footage – Tom Paine (MDiv’98) • Vampire Fish spawning in Vermont • Merriam Webster Dictionary recognized “irregardless” as a word ...

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The Paine family (Tom, Lesley, John, and Hannah) built raised beds for vegetables in Washington state.

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We still have a moon that reflects light in the darkness, reminding us that God brought forth light and God continues to be with us in all of creation. We pray for God to lift our spirits through the heaviness and darkness of life. We still pray to have our attention turned from the fears of this world and to turn our hearts to you in Jesus name. Amen. – Wayne McEwen (MA’92)

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2020? Bummer. But bummers are, well, normal. Life as usual. Life is tough We die when we’ve had enough. So love is here, to help us make it from year to year. – Bill Carr (Dip’80)