Waverly to Marshall; Distance = 21 Miles; People Met = 15+
While at the Kristkindl Markt we met the Missouri UCC conference minister, Pastor Jeff Whitman. He was enthusiastic about what we were doing and put an article about us in the conference newsletter. That was followed by a letter I submitted upon Jeff’s request. Within a day I received invitations from UCC Pastors all along our route in Missouri. Taking advantage of these invitations began with this stretch, gladly accepting Pastor Andy Mockridge’s invitation to stay at the UCC church in Grand Pass. We were particularly looking forward to the “Supper Out” event on Tuesday evening.
The first day was overcast throughout, and that was the better day of the two. Knowing that the second day would be worse we left only 6 miles into Marshall, which we virtually ran but still got thoroughly wet. At least I had plenty to think about based on conversations with folks at Grand Pass.
Upon our first arrival to the UCC church we were greeted by Pastor Andy and along with parishioners Jeannie and Carey, making initial preparations for the Supper Out event. In response to my description of a community initiative Pastor Andy shared with us her experience of a coffee shop in Washington DC designed to fit that description. Here is a podcast of that, with photos taken at the Supper Out.
Kristy and Keith Windmeyer lived across from the church where we stayed. Kristy had, in fact, invited us to stay at her house. Because she recently got over a stomach virus we declined for both her sake and ours, but Kristy was determined to be our trail angel. She made a terrific turkey soup that she left in a crock pot for our arrival at the church the first night. She also left a note that we were to call her the next morning so she could bring over her breakfast casserole and join us.
The conversation over breakfast centered on food pantries and soup kitchens. It was brought up that sometimes people in need are unappreciative of what they receive (“We had apple pie last night!”). There are two things to keep in mind about this. The first is that human nature is varied, and the variations run across the socioeconomic board. Some of the less fortunate are unappreciative types, just as some of the more fortunate are unappreciative.
Human nature is also adaptive despite our variability; that’s one of the biggest keys to our survival. We will adapt our thoughts, beliefs and behaviors to our common experiences. If we commonly experience charity with no expectations of community from relatively anonymous volunteers that will lead to different behaviors than if we commonly experience communal kindness with expectations of mutual responsibility. The less fortunate are not universally incorrigible human beings as some think tanks and talking heads on mass media would want us to believe. If the system is broke, well, the system is broke, not the majority of less fortunate human beings in the system.
Supper Out is the product of a ministerial alliance based in Waverly. Churches in the alliance rotate hosting a communal meal, which fulfills one of the key ingredients of a community initiative that I now cite on my talks. A community event is not the heroic event of one individual or organization assuming all responsibility.
Another discussion we had with Kristy was whether the original plan of having a Supper Out every night of the last week was better than holding one every Tuesday. The last week would be better for the less fortunate who don’t have money left at the end of the month. Every Tuesday would be better for folks in general to be able to schedule. Another of my ingredients for a community initiative is that it should be for the whole community. By that rationale every Tuesday is the better approach.
I thought turnout at Supper Out was great, considering the rainy day. Grand Pass has a grand population of 53 and they estimated about sixty people served, with people from Waverly coming out for the event. As the people cleared and the stalwarts remained for clean-up in the church kitchen we felt like we were back home cleaning up after a potluck. Another community met; another community engaged; another community we regrettably must leave.
Carey, Pastor Andy, Jeannie at Grand Pass UCC
Kristy Windmeyer
Tiffany and Jovanna from Malta Bend helped with the names of roads and gave us hot drinks
The funeral procession must be a snap!
Holly helped us out at the Marshall library
I miss my breakfast partners this morning. It was such a pleasure to have you share our church and our Supper Out. And, it was very exciting to hear about your travels and how you plan your next moves–sometime by the seat of your pants from my venue. Friends, mostly new ones, always come through though and God has just proven that he takes care of us. Happy hiking to Kirk and Cindy and happy tracking to Ky.
Thank you so much for your warmth and kindness while we were in Grand Pass.
“There are two things to keep in mind about this. The first is that human nature is varied, and the variations run across the socioeconomic board. Some of the less fortunate are unappreciative types, just as some of the more fortunate are unappreciative.”
Quoted from your blog:
Very well said! However, more often than not, it is the less fortunate that are singled out for this. In addition, sometimes the giver expects too much gratitude. If the giving is from the heart, it shouldn’t matter.
Very well said in turn.