Ordination

Yes, I'm dog-tired, as I've heard old-timers say. The Arkansas Conference of United Methodists went very well. I only attended one session with my husband, and that was the evening of the Ordination Ceremony. It was beautiful, and Jim had three bishops, two district superintendents, and his mentor all "lay hands" upon him. It's a tradition in the church. The consecrating to God by laying on of hands goes back to John Wesley, and each newly ordained minister receives a chart that goes back to John Wesley and shows each previous "consecration" in turn. It's a continuous line, and Jim's goes like this:

John Wesley, ordained 1725
Thomas Coke, consecrated by Wesley 1784
Francis Asbury, ordained by Coke 1784; consecrated 1784
William McKendree, ordained by Asbury, 1791; consecrated 1808
William Capers, consecrated by McKendree 1846
Holland N. McTyeire, consecrated by Capers 1866
Elijah E. Hoss, consecrated by McTyeire 1902
Ivan L. Holt, consecrated by Hoss 1938
Alsie H. Carlton, consecrated by Holt 1968
Charles N. Crutchfield (the current Bishop of the Arkansas Conference), ordained 1971; consecrated 2004
James R. Stone, ordained 2007 by Crutchfield

In a way, I guess it's sort of like passing the torch. God's torch.

Some people don't care much for ceremony or other things associated with "high church," but I love to attend a very formal ceremony sometimes. I do love praise services, but sometimes the pomp and formality of what I call a high church service is impressive. Tuesday night at the ordination ceremony, the choir from Pulaski Heights UMC, along with the Ozark Point Brass group, sent chills up my spine many times with the absolute beauty and soul-moving power of their music.

Okay, I'm finished now, but I simply had to speak of the feelings of such a special ceremony, especially when a man whom I've loved and admired for over 40 years was involved.

After four days in Russellville at the conference, I'm definitely dog-tired.

As to flop-eared... this morning as I was brushing my hair and gazing out the window into the back yard and the woods beyond this lovely parsonage, I saw again the little rabbit we love to watch. Sometimes there are several that come out of the woods to graze in our yard, but usually it's only this one. Today a squirrel kept darting across the ground and teasing the little bunny. As I watched, I wondered how we human beings can make wars against each other and kill each other (all of us God's children, no matter whether we believe in God or not). How can we do such atrocities to our fellow man when God's little creatures get along in such harmony in nature. Oh, I know that nature is a trickle down of fittest of the beasts, and every species has natural enemies, but the beasts of the fields and forests and seas don't make war on each other. They simply survive. Why can't we do the same?

We're heading on the road again in a few hours. Going to Rector for a few precious days. It'll be our last trip "home" for months, and we look forward to seeing our two daughters and our grandchildren, my mother, and dear friends. Also we are eager to open up our retirement house and let some fresh air inside, as well as see to some things that need to be done. I'm tired before I begin. ...laughs

Of course, I'll have my little laptop, but not sure if there'll be time to write here. We return Saturday and have to hit the packing very hard. The movers will pick us up on the 22nd, and there is still major packing to get done before then.

But sooner now than later, we'll be moved and settling in at the new parsonage in Rison. Then I'll be back and drive everyone crazy with my thoughts.

Take care, everyone. God loves you.

Later, y'all.