Days 355-357 – 5/13-15/12 – Community Presbyterian Church (many pictures)

Bridgewater to Marcella; Distance = 35 Miles; People Met = 26+

Our last “civilized” stay for this 5,000 mile, year long journey would be at the Community Presbyterian Church.  That they should be open for sojourners is not surprising, considering they open their facilities to a wide range of uses by the community of Chester.  They also are very active with missions.  While we were there they commissioned one of their young adults to work as a staff member for the Appalachian Service Project, a position they funded themselves so that ASP might use those funds in other ways.  One novel means that they use to raise funds for mission is by members volunteering to repair items in return for donations.

Our last stay in "civilization" on the CPC floor

Ky’s first contact in leading us to CPC was Lisa Burns, a bundle of energy that works in family ministries for the church.  On Saturday evening and Sunday morning she was busy guiding the young people to be in charge of the Mother’s Day service, which went beautifully.  I loved the bell choir and the poignant messages about the gifts of the spirit from a few members.

Thanks for taking us in Lisa and Ann Marie!

The next church we come to will be our own home church; the CPC was a fitting place to serve as our last stop before then.  Coffee hour after the service was much like ours, with lots of people socializing.  Pastor Chris Scriven reminded me a bit of our own pastor back home, Erick Olsen, adding to the nostalgia of the event.  What a nice way to transition back.

Adam, Nora and Jonathan at the CPC Mother's Day coffee hour

We wanted to get one last shower in before our final ten days which would be mainly on the Appalachian Trail.  That last shower was at the home of CPC members Andy and Martha Smith, who also invited us to supper.  This also provided a delightful last experience spent in someone’s home, getting acquainted with new friends if only briefly.  Andy and Martha met from work and share a few hobbies together, including both being jazz musicians and both having a love of old cars.  They both also love to joke and laugh.

Thanks Andy and Martha for a great evening and our last shower!

During the journey we invite people to come visit us, Andy and Martha could possibly take us up on that.  Their hobbies could lead them to a car show at Lime Rock or a jazz concert at Infinity Hall.  We will be ready and waiting if that occurs.

For those good friends we’ve made all across the country who are reading this now let me invite you to our house once again.  Cindy and I always host people; we are not just being polite.  We take in AT hikers we come across; we volunteer to host people connected to church events; we’ve put up a few young adults for months at a time; we host students for Yale’s summer music festival.  We sincerely would love to host you as well.  Our house is modest but homey.  Most people who visit have an easy time feeling at home.  So come on down!

We still had some hiking to do during the time spent at CPC.  That meant more kindness and more new friends to meet.   For our day hiking into Chester we were hailed by a family from Paraguay, along with Marvin from Puerto Rico, now living in Gladstone.  We sat down with them for a spell as they brought us out both water and Cokes.  Marvin had read the Celestine Prophecy and thought our journey resembled that a bit.

Thanks for the hospitality Marvin, Sady, Luis, Ricky and Benita!

Also in Gladstone we hiked along with Patricia Semple for a spell, who was out walking her dog (I can’t remember the dog’s name).  She continued to walk with us beyond her block to chat some more and give us a little guided tour of the pastoral highlights of Gladstone.

Thanks for being our guide Patricia Semple!

Our day hiking out of Chester (though we returned for one last evening and that shower!) was wet with little to no shoulders on the road.  We learned that the next day, the day we head for the Appalachian Trail, is supposed to be even wetter.  Why should the end be any different than the rest of the journey in terms of rain?

Our final morning at CPC started out with abundant activity.  An exercise group was working out while the Midday Friendship Center was busy preparing for Meals on Wheels.  They the “meals” folks used to rent the use of the kitchen until Pastor Chris came, when he pointed out to the congregation that this was a form of missions.

Tabby and Bonnie get meals together for the Midday Friendship Center

We had one last, delightful chat with Chris who, once again, reminds us a bit of our own pastor.  He brought us a loaf of freshly baked bread by his wife Michelle.  He drew parallels with us closing our journey with those of Presbyterian Kenyans for whom he served as hosts on the close of their visit to this country.  We talked of ways our respective churches might stay connected in the future.  This is our one stop of our journey where that is a realistic possibility.

Chris also shared that he dreamed of us the night previous.  He conjured an image of us walking for kindness juxtaposed with the night rain at 3:00 a.m.  What touching parting words to hear!  That this should be our final “civilized” stop seems to place an exclamation mark on the serendipitous events that have occurred throughout our journey.

Pastor Chris and Cindy (with a mystery man in the mirror)

Other Photos

Good luck to Richard and Dan on their new home!

Jordan and Bruce of Bill's Luncheonette

Roger of Dover Auto Repair gives us directions in Dover

Thanks Ants (Antonio) for your suggestions!

You ought to see the side roads in Hibernia

Low maintenance orchard