street name anomoly

A brilliant blue sky lights up the Zion campus. The barn looks inviting. The festival tent glows yellow behind the trees. But the street sign demanded I take this pic. Zion's lead pastor is named Hunter Hess. How does he get a street named after him--Hunters Way. What are the chances?

sing-a-long

May 25 was Memorial Day weekend and the band was absent. My mind was going like--informal, summer beginning, loosening up, children, outdoors, summer Bible school. So instead of a set of contemporary, I gave a shot at Bible school songs.

Here's the list we sang: This is the Day, Allelu Allelu, Deep and Wide, Jesus Loves Me, and one other I can't recall right now.

I was slightly nervous, although I had explained to Hunter and he had given his full support. I had also checked with several choir members. But yet, how would it be received?

What I noticed was smiles everywhere. I noticed parents showing chldren how to do the motions on "deep and wide." And, people really sang.

When it was good

Yesterday these pews were pretty much full. I got a lot of feedback that the worship service was good, meaningful, etc. How can I extract an abstract conclussion from that? There are so many components to a service of worship.

What do I think? I noticed that the hymn singing was vigorous, especially the acappella verses. Praise and worship songs were led by two voices and one guitar. Was it that?

No, it had to be all the parts in concert. But to understand, complementary comments have to be explored as well as comments about disappointment. I'll ask the pastor and some music people.

Maundy Thursday service

Hunter walks in this morning. What about Maundy Thursday this year?

What about last year? Let's look at that.

Secretary searches computer. What's it under? Try special services...tenebrae...Lent. It's found. I can't believe it's time to plan for the week before Easter.

New adult choir rehearsal room

I looked around the church for a rehearsal place for the choir. Bill helped me look and consider the pros and cons.

Pastor Hunter helped me decide on Footprints room, 131.

I need a studio atmosphere instead of a large stage atmosphere. I need a blackboard. I need flexible seating so we can face each other, or cluster in voice groups.

So, adult choir, starting Wednesday the 12th--7 p.m. in #131.

pumpkin holds up to snow

Thursday morning, and my Zion pumpkin stands proudly in the snow. In October, when I met Pastor Hunter in the church office and practiced on the organ for an audition, I walked into a pumpkin church. "Here," Hunter said. "Take one."

I did and insisted on paying for it.

The thermometer says 19 degrees outside. I know this vegetable can't survive long in the freezing weather. But there it sits, on my front porch, beside one of the posts, shivering with a few of the flowers soaking in the sun.

It's a good reminder of Zion, the strength I find there, the laughing at the onslaughts of bothersome weather, the living in the light and radiating it back, making the world a prettier place.

I'm looking forward to worship this Sunday.

first day on the job

I walk in ready to go to work for Zion. Where to start. Hunter (seated) gives me a good orientation. At 11 Nancy (second from right on photo) gives me a good hour on choir orientation.

It takes another hour to figure out the computer and the programs the office is using. I find the refrig to keep my sandwich chilled. Late in the day I switch to organ, and practice and store my scores.

Then it's supper at O'Grady's family restaurant in Souderton, and from there down rte. 309 to Hunter house. At seven I meet with the worship committee, which is planning hymns for Advent. Discussion ranges far and wide. These people are sharp and fun. Also tenacious. I think it was all done by 9:15. (See if I remember all names: l to r, Kevin, Hunter, Joyce, Nancy, and Edie.)

Then home, discovering one headlight of the Neon is kaput, so I turn on the fog lights to compensate.

Pastor Hunter calls

I'm finishing a lunch of left-overs. The phone rings. It's Hunter. He said he'd call this morning. It's a little past noon. Last evening the church board was going to meet to consider offering me the position of interim minister of worship.

It's all clear, he said. It's a go.

That's big for me. I first spoke with him August 31. Tomorrow is Thanksgiving. My last email said to him, this is not just another gig. This defines who I am.

When do you start? I'll come next Tuesday, November 27. Good, he says. Bring anything you have about Advent. We haven't planned that yet. There's no time to lose. I'll be there.

That's me and Dorcas in the photo.