Days 214-215 – 12/24-25/11 – Happy Holidays!

Treloar to Matson; Distance = 22.3 Miles; People Met = 16+

Photos at the end.

The sun finally came out in full glory for this special time of year. We also had the privilege of walking with not one, but four people during this stretch. The first was Pastor Jeanne, who dropped us off at the trailhead on Christmas Eve morning and hiked with us for a bit. Later that day we hooked up with Bill Bayer (“when you have a head-ache think of me”) for the stretch between Marthasville and Dutzow. Conversing with Bill made the miles go by quickly and he gave us some historical tips, like where the gravestones for Daniel Boone were located.

Throughout this stretch we stayed in the home of Pastor Leah Atkinson Bilinski and her husband Jamie. Pastor Leah learned of us from Senior Pastor Paul Koch of the St. Peter UCC in Washington, Missouri. He had invited us to attend the community meal they hold every Saturday, including Christmas Eve.

This program began with five women, led by Brigid Reid, going through a long process of discernment to discover how they should act on their faith. That led to this mostly Catholic group to create what they called Harvest Table, and partner with the UCC for the space to hold the community meals. They now draw volunteers from a dozen churches in the area on a rotating basis to serve the meals. A few of the “regulars” help out occasionally as well. The meals are free, intended mainly to help out the less fortunate, though Pastor Paul encourages his parish to break bread together with those who come for the free meal.

There are three food pantries in Washington, including at St. Peter’s where Jim Gephardt is in charge. They get their donations through the usual sources, plus one unusual source. The very large church holds Christmas tree competitions where people or groups put up Christmas trees in the church foyers and auditorium. People then come in and place food under the tree they like. All donations end up going to the food pantry.

We were made to feel right at home with the church community. I was allowed to sing in the choir, with the choir director Lavere saying afterwards I could stay there if I’d like. For the Christmas morning service we were asked to light the Advent Wreath. After that service Elaine Menke and Kim Colter invited us over for Christmas dinner. The Colter family, including daughters Nora and Hannah, are involved in a locally organized program for mission work in Honduras. Elaine also wants to get a program going where young women hike in the Grand Canyon as a step in their empowerment.

After dinner we hiked with Pastor Leah and Jamie for four miles on the Katy Trail before returning home for the opening of presents. Jamie expressed that he wanted gear for exercising with Leah in the cold. He received two pairs of various running gear, one his and one hers. The evening was topped off by a phone call home where all three of our kids were gathered together.