#So(ul)journ!

" A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." - Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu Day 1: We're visiting the ancestors! I leaned over the bed. “Jack, it’s time to get moving. What’s the time?” “It’s 6:30, and we’ve got to get on the road.” “Coffee down the road?” Good plan! We were up and out of the house by 7. We set an early start so we could arrive in Guernsey County, Ohio, by midday and then tromp around a cemetery or two before checking into the hotel. For years, I’ve wanted to visit the cemeteries where my father’s Scotch-Irish immigrant ancestors are buried. Like Jacki and me, their journey of leaving Ireland for America began with their first step. William Stranathan, his wife Martha Parker, and their toddler son, also named William, left Ireland around 1801. From there, they arrived in Canada and entered the United States via Erie, Pennsylvania. Tragedy struck in 1802 when young William was accidentally killed by a falling tree. We know that Wi...

Wow! This plan has been in the works for a while now.   Initially, I considered taking a renewal leave in 2019 after completing my Doctorate of Ministry.  I was a busy time and there were terrible rumblings in our denomination as the pangs of a great divorce which would take nearly five years to come to fruition. In actual fact, it was a much longer time of contention and only now on the other side, can I honestly say, sometimes it is necessary to part company. Then the pandemic season resulted in an absolutely crazy season.  I had no idea where we would end up on the other side of the pandemic season.  Regardless, we made it through with new talents that probably never would have learned if not for that terrible time.  In these last two years, I conversed with our Staff Parish team and finally, after 2024 General Conference of the UMC and one-quarter of denomination deciding to go on their own way, I can finally feel like this is a good...