A distinguished visitor....
Though very much a spiritual person I'm not as strong a church goer as some in my life would like. Namely my spouse and my mother. I actually enjoy the experience and like the people who attend church very much. I suppose I've just never felt the strong compunction for the organized aspects of religion as much as some regular attendees. I'm not judging them, or me, as right or wrong that is just where I feel I fit in. Actually over the years I've had just as strong a spirtitual experience while attending AA meetings where, in fact, the concept of God or more particularly a higher power is quite prominent. I suppose that in AA I can see God's works first hand and directly in action versus the concept of God in action while seated in a church service.
But today, Julie, Jack and I did suit up and show up at The First United Methodist Church in Midland, where coincidently the President and Laura Bush got married and where the First Mother-in-Law,, Mrs. Welch, still attends. And I'm glad that I attended for today, once again, we had a special guest in attendance.
The FUMC, not by design I know but none-the-less, has a mainly white upper middle class congregation and so I did happen to notice a very distinguished black couple and younger woman walk past me and be seated several aisles ahead. Not knowing them my first thought was that it was good to see a more diverse group attending the FUMC. Little did we know that the distinguished gentleman was in fact far more distinguished than we could have realized.
As mentioned a year or more ago, a non-denominational church group in Midland has found itself in the unique position of trying to assist in brokering peace in the Sudan bringing with it some degree of national attention. As the service progressed our friend Rev. Jan Reed made the daily announcements including a wish that we all pay our humble respects to visitor General Lazaro Sumbeiywo and his family of Kenya. General Sumbeiywo was the chief mediator of the Sudanese peace accords and was in town to show his gratitude to all the local people of faith who had helped make this possible. He is leaving tomorrow to make a personal report to the U.N.
Julie, Jack and I took time after the service to shake the General's hand and tell him thank you for all his efforts. A handshake with a unique piece of important world history.
Though very much a spiritual person I'm not as strong a church goer as some in my life would like. Namely my spouse and my mother. I actually enjoy the experience and like the people who attend church very much. I suppose I've just never felt the strong compunction for the organized aspects of religion as much as some regular attendees. I'm not judging them, or me, as right or wrong that is just where I feel I fit in. Actually over the years I've had just as strong a spirtitual experience while attending AA meetings where, in fact, the concept of God or more particularly a higher power is quite prominent. I suppose that in AA I can see God's works first hand and directly in action versus the concept of God in action while seated in a church service.
But today, Julie, Jack and I did suit up and show up at The First United Methodist Church in Midland, where coincidently the President and Laura Bush got married and where the First Mother-in-Law,, Mrs. Welch, still attends. And I'm glad that I attended for today, once again, we had a special guest in attendance.
The FUMC, not by design I know but none-the-less, has a mainly white upper middle class congregation and so I did happen to notice a very distinguished black couple and younger woman walk past me and be seated several aisles ahead. Not knowing them my first thought was that it was good to see a more diverse group attending the FUMC. Little did we know that the distinguished gentleman was in fact far more distinguished than we could have realized.
As mentioned a year or more ago, a non-denominational church group in Midland has found itself in the unique position of trying to assist in brokering peace in the Sudan bringing with it some degree of national attention. As the service progressed our friend Rev. Jan Reed made the daily announcements including a wish that we all pay our humble respects to visitor General Lazaro Sumbeiywo and his family of Kenya. General Sumbeiywo was the chief mediator of the Sudanese peace accords and was in town to show his gratitude to all the local people of faith who had helped make this possible. He is leaving tomorrow to make a personal report to the U.N.
Julie, Jack and I took time after the service to shake the General's hand and tell him thank you for all his efforts. A handshake with a unique piece of important world history.
