People Met = 8+
I attended my first Episcopal Church service today, yet another new experience along the trail. Afterwards I gave a talk to the parishioners and received perhaps the most enthusiastic response yet. Perhaps I’m getting better at speaking; perhaps I’m drawing upon the experience of the hike better to illustrate my points of community and kindness; or perhaps the good folks of Parkersburg are delightfully in tune with that message.
In particular I’d like to give a shout out to two young people, Abbey and Whitney Justice. That the young should be so enthused about messages of community and kindness bodes well for us all. I would also like to give a shout out to Trish Pritchard for her extreme interest in our message. She kept reiterating that our coming there to the Good Shepherd was meant to be, as they currently in active discussion about their outreach program.
Gwen, Abbey and Whitney Justice
In the afternoon I interviewed Mother Marjorie Bevans of the Good Shepherd Episcopal Church about her experiences with Inuits in Alaska. This was a case of being preconditioned ahead of time to hear the message behind her experience. While talking to Pastor Phil Thomas in Chesterhill we heard of a new “gold rush” coming to eastern Ohio in the form of new natural gas reserves. Some landowners at least stand to make a bundle from this. Yet becoming dependent on an anonymous, corporate “cash cow,” rather than being able to independently earn one’s living, may not be everything one might desire, at least in terms of community. This podcast sheds some light on that.
Fascinating clip, absolutely fascinating.
I’m not surprised you’d get something out of that, Harry. Looking forward to seeing you in a couple months.
Kirk