Day in the Life….of Me!
August 27, 2010
I am writing less than 24 hours after returning to North Carolina. I learned several things in my travels east from New Mexico: Waffle Houses re-emerge in Oklahoma, although New Mexico boasts one (1). Country music stations outnumber oldies stations by roughly 100:1. Maybe 1,000:1. The Texas panhandle is broader than some states. Oklahoma makes an interesting transition from desert to farmland–marked by creeks that have actual water in them, vs. dry washes. And the Rocky Mountains and the Appalachian Mountains are different worlds, separated by a mere two (long) days driving.
Upon my return, I’ve also learned that the US Mail stays in business not because we use the ever-increasing cost of first class stamps, but because of the less expensive bulkier items–I guess they must make it up in volume.
If you just came in, I’m just back from Philmont Scout Ranch near Cimarron, New Mexico, where I served as a chaplain for four weeks. That’s a different congregation! Youth outnumber adults by 3:1 or 4:1. On a typical night, the service would have about half trail bound and half home bound–what one of the priests called the “please and thank you” services–Fr. Ray made a great point–if you come to ask God to help you survive out there, the flip side is to come back and thank God that you made it–it’s only good manners.
I led services in base camp every other night, complete with trumpet calls to worship (picture our front porch before SNL!). Mule deer were frequent attendees of the services, but never would sit on the wooden benches, despite repeated invitations. Bro. Jim deemed our open air chapel to have the best “stained glass windows” anywhere–complete with animation, including 20-40 horses just across the fence.
50-100 mile hikes over 10 days sometimes take an emotional toll beyond the physical. That’s something else chaplains do, offering encouragement, counseling, and, yes, even some conflict intervention.
The sixth journey in my life (’66 and five since ‘95), Philmont is a remarkable place. It is 214 square miles of wilderness, the gift of an Iowan turned Oklahoma oilman, Waite Phillips, in 1938. At summer’s end, 940,000 had trekked that land in 72 years, about 21,000 this summer. The land is rugged, unrelentingly steep, vast, demanding–unless you’re a chaplain with a 4WD Philmont Suburban (makes us very popular among staffers catching a ride–they become remarkably spiritual at that point!).
A personal highlight was catching sight of Fairmont’s own Edwin Terrell, a back country camp director at Cypher’s Mine. The abandoned gold mine has its very own ghost story (ask him!) in a place so steep that campers use special three-sided permanent shelters (Adirondacks) instead of tents. I drove 20 miles (90 minutes) into the back country to help bring Edwin and his staff back to the base camp at season’s end. The only casualty was my muffler.
It’s great to be back with a fresh set of memories, experiencing once more the “moments” of the west. Now if I can just rest up a bit, I’ll be refreshed and ready to once again “walk the trails” of ministry with you!
Pastor Steve
At the request of United Methodist Scouting liaison with the United Methodist Men, Larry Coppock, I wrote an almost daily blog while I was there. It’s still up, and you can read-all-about-it at stevesphilblog.blogspot.com (thanks to Greg Kraus for teaching me how to do that, and to Peggy for being my coach).
Day in the Life…August 15, 2010
August 11, 2010
The students are coming! The students are coming! Correction, the students are here! You might have noticed that the traffic around campus has picked up this past week. This weekend was “move-in” weekend for first year students, but many have already arrived on campus. In fact, if you look around, you might spot a few in church this morning. I hope you will take the opportunity to greet them and welcome them to Fairmont. While you are at it, tell them about the Wesley Foundation as well. If you are not sure who is a college student, just ask! If they are younger than traditional college age, they will be flattered. If they are older than college age, they will love you for thinking they are still in college! It’s a win-win situation!
If you are a college student visiting Fairmont, welcome! The Wesley Foundation (United Methodist Campus Ministry) and Fairmont have been partners in ministry for almost 70 years! Here you will find friendly folks and a comfortable church home. If you would like more information about the Wesley Foundation, ask anyone or check out our website www.raleighwesley.org. Be sure to join us next week for our “Welcome Students” lunch following worship. You will be our guests for some great home cooking!
Blessings on you!
Kirk Oldham
Campus Minister