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UPCOMING EVENTS
CHURCH LEADERS' RETREAT/OFFICERS INSTALLATION
Saturday, February 3, 9:00 am - 1:00 pm, at the home of the Interim Pastor, Richard Thompson. The following day, Sunday, February 4, newly elected church officers will be installed.
AUSTIN AREA INTERRELIGIOUS MINISTRIES ANNUAL MEETING
Sunday, February 4, 2:00 - 4:00 pm, Schroeder Auditorium in the Louise T. Peter Center Concordia University, 3400 N. IH-35. The Annual Hope Award will be presented to Kim Sue Lia Perkes, Religion writer for the Austin American-Statesman, and Sister Mary Rose McPhee, internal consultant for Seton Health Network. RSVP (472-7627) or e-mail: (aaim@ammaustin.org) by January 26th.
EARLY MARDI GRAS TALENT SHOW AND SUPPER
A Fund Raiser for the Homeless Commission and Huston-Tillotson's Music program.
February 23, at 6:30 pm, is the date and time set for this special event for our church family and friends. Ned Murphy has already started lining up acts and welcomes anyone with talents to share. The program will follow supper with dessert. Please contact Nodie Murphy at 255-4602; e-mail: nodie@mindspring.com for more details. Also, a sign-up sheet is provided from the Fellowship Room. Parking is available after 5:30 pm in the University Coop Parking Lot, diagonally across from the church and after 6:30 pm in the Cadeau lot north of the church.
CHURCH SCHOOL UPDATE
by Doyal Pinkard, Church School Superintendent
Carol Barrett's Church School class will be meeting jointly with a class from the University Baptist Church for a six-week period from Feb. 18 to March 25. We did this last year, and those involved found it to be a positive experience for children and teachers alike.
For those who aren't familiar with our program, Carol's class is called a primary class, but it is not a traditional primary class since it is for children throughout the K-5 range. The curriculum used is "The One-Room Sunday School," published by Cokesbury. This curriculum is suited for a multi-age group.
The Church School team is really happy to announce that Carol now has an assistant, Bree Hawes Domingue, who is working with her on Sunday mornings. Bree joins her father, Steve Domingue, who teaches the adult class, on the Sunday School team. If you have a child you would like to have in Carol's class, please let Carol or me know.
Our Church School (children and adults) will take part in CROP Walk on March 4. Watch for more info
ADULT CLASS NOTES
Our Adult Class will continue with its study of the book of Revelation through February 18. Beginning February 25 and continuing through Lent, a series: "Toward a 21st Century Spirituality" will held.
Now that we are well past the turn of the millennium, whether counted from the beginning of 2000 or 2001, it is well to take note of the continuing speculations about the end of the world, known as eschatology. There was, of course, such anticipation in biblical times up into the second century, until in the last book to be written in the New Testament, 2 Peter, it is concluded in 3:8, "...with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day."
At the turn of the first millennium, further frenzy about the end-times broke out. Then in the 19th century a new wave of apocalyptic expectation occurred, including the beginnings of The Seventh Day Adventists. Also in the late 1800's John Nelson Darby, an ex-Anglican clergyman, founder of the Plymouth Brethren, interpreted the Rapture as the event leading up to the Tribulation, which he believed was to precede the Resurrection. This sequence, cobbled together from 2 Thessalonians and the book of Revelation, became the pattern followed by the Jehovah's Witnesses in the early 20th century. A quarter of a century ago, Hal Lindsey updated it with what the New Interpreter's Bible (NIB) calls "the eschatological synthesis of modern fundamentalism." In his The Late Great Planet Earth he predicted the end of the world before the end of the century, based on such associations of the Anti-Christ with the European Union. These predictions have subsequently been revised and eventually eliminated. The latest, and by far the best marketed of apocalyptic literature, is the series by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins, beginning with the best-selling novel Left Behind, and continuing through The Mark.
The question is why these books are best-selling. One key is to be found in LaHaye's Understanding the Last Days: The Keys to Unlocking Bible Prophecy, where he cites the various signs of the end-times: "Satanism is on the rise, even invading some public schools, where the Bible has been expelled...Earthquakes have reached unprecedented proportions...Plagues are a sign of the end, as are drugs, murder, rebellion of children against parents - the list goes on." So fear is now, as before, a motivation for the eschatological revival.
But combined with biblical illiteracy, in which masses of people, have no basis for interpreting scripture in its historical context, the field is ripe for the harvesting the gullible. For instance, the highly symbolic book of Revelation was written for the strengthening of first century Christians who were undergoing persecution by the Roman emperor Diocletian. Thus to claim that the biblical writer had a kind of crystal ball to predict current events, like is done in Left Behind, where the United Nations becomes the venue for the Anti-Christ, is pure fiction. LaHaye and Jenkins works come across to me as a kind of Harry Potter for adults.
But besides indulging in biblical naiveté, these novels (which do make fundamentalism more readable for the general public) are to be faulted in a more profound way: they warp what prophecy is about. Biblical prophecy was not primarily about predicting the future, but "speaking forth" the moral purpose of God in the present. To that extent, the NIB has it right when it states, that "Dreaming about a miraculous rescue by the rapture is a license for escape from political struggles to change the present world order, doomed as it is believed to be for destruction." That reminds me of former Secretary of the Interior James Watt, who didn't believe it necessary to protect the environment because he believed the world was coming to an end soon anyway.
So the best antidote to biblical literalism is for the mainline churches to become more biblically literate and to obey the ethical imperative to care for the earth. May our children and our children's children find that we have not been apathetic or so distracted by biblical fantasies to keep us from exercising the stewardship of spaceship earth which they will inherit.
Peace, Rich Thompson
Interim Pastor
WORSHIP NOTES FOR FEBRUARY
4 - Holy Communion and Installation of Church Officers
Rev. Rich Thompson will preach on Isaiah 6:1-13 on the theme TranscendingandSending.
11 - When Blessed is the theme based on Luke 6:17-26, The Beatitudes, Rev. Thompson, preaching. There will be a 10:55 am hymn-sing in lieu of the prelude.
18 - Rev. Thompson will present a recreation of the life of John Frederick Oberlin, the 18th century French pastor, after whom the Congregational Church founded Oberlin College was named. Reverend Thompson, Oberlin '55 first presented this recreation titled "John Frederick Oberlin Recreated" at Oberlin's 1986 Baccalaureate and subseequently at First Church of Oberlin in 1996. Oberlin College was the first in the nation to admit women and African Americans.
25 - Transfiguration Sunday has as the text Luke 9:28-43a,
from which Rev. Thompson's sermon, Beyond Appearance will be based.
Rev. Thompson's sermons of Jan. 14, "The Life of the Party," and Jan. 21, "One in the Spirit," are included on the church's web page: http://congregational.faithweb.com . Hard copies of these sermons are available on the credenze in the Fellowship Room.
CURRENT E-MAIL ADDRESSES: (Thanks to Sara Ross)
David Ross <dwross@mail.utexas.edu>,
Sara Ross <ross@arlut.utexas.edu>,
Andrea Putz <a-putz@mail.utexas.edu>,
John Burlinson <John.Burlinson@tdh.state.tx.us>,
"Ben H. White" <BHW4632@aol.com>,
Barbara Burnham <BLB282@aol.com>,
Don and Sharon Brown <donsharon@earthlink.net>,
Dave and Susan Ashton <davesusan-ashton@msn.com>,
Dennis Murphy <DEMWIT@onr.com>,
Doyal Pinkard <dpinkard@mail.utexas.edu>,
Kristin Galle <galle@mail.utexas.edu>,
George Lemley <Glemley@austin.rr.com>,
Norma Steve Hawes/Domingue <hawesdom@hotmail.com>,
John Gage <JohnRGage@aol.com>,
John Moore <jrmoore.atty@mindspring.com>,
Jim Tomasek <Jtomasekjr@aol.com>,
Lisa Kirch <lisakirch@mail.utexas.edu>,
Karl Putz <putz@che.utexas.edu>, Rambie Briggs <rbriggs@pol.net>,
Setsuko Kaneda <skaneda@io.com>,
"Suzanne L. Bradford" <suzannebradford@mindspring.com>,
Pat and Mel Oakes <oakes@mail.utexas.edu>,
Rizer Everett <rizere@swbell.net>,
John Burlinson <jburlinson@austin.rr.com>,
Cathy Hubbs <hubbscathubbs@aol.com>,
Paul Deisler <sinprisa@earthlink.net>,
Matt Blackstock <mblackstock@iopener.net>,
Jamie Adams <jamie@shanachie.net>, Enid Ross <ross@io.com>,
Victor and Jean Appel <vappel@mail.utexas.edu>,
Nodie Murphy <nodie@mindspring.com>,
Michael Adams <madams5260@aol.com>,
Mary Sinclair <msinclair@austin.rr.com>,
Richard Thompson <richthom@inetport.com>,
Fran Briggs <briggsf@ecpi.com>,
Marilyn Gaddis <mgaddis@sanmarcus.net>,
Brenda Tingle <POTINO@aol.com>,
Chester Rosson <ChesterTex@aol.com>,
Robin Rosson <SynJester@aol.com>,
Loretta Lewis <mimmielew@aol.com>,
Craig Headley <craigheadley@yahoo.com>,
Jeri Winter <thejeri@yahoo.com>
If your name and e-mail address is not on this list, and you would like to be included in receiving messages from the church, please e-mail your address to Sara Ross ross@arlut.utexas.edu.
WELCOME WORKSHOP
Tommie Pinkard, Reporter
Eighteen members of our church on a Saturday morning learned that a greeting and a smile is not enough to welcome visitors to our Sunday worship services.
Bill Royster, Interim Associate Conference Minister, and his wife, Gail, traveled to Austin on January 20 to lead a workshop on this topic. The objective was to increase our awareness of what it takes to make visitors feel welcome and comfortable, and to assure that they have a meaningful worship experience.
Gail told us that a visitor can get an unfavorable impression of a church in 20 seconds. For that reason, we should make sure the exterior is attractive and inviting, that directional signs are clear. In a quick walk around the outside of our church we workshoppers noticed several opportunities for improvement -- we have signs that are difficult to read, we do not direct drivers to parking areas, it is difficult to discern the main entrance to the sanctuary, and windows in the Towery Education Wing do not present an attractive view to those who pass by.
Inside, the church should appear clean and well kept. Two areas that should always get special attention are the nursery, where cleanliness and safety should be stressed, and the rest rooms, which should be clean and attractive.
Other ways to help visitors feel at home -- and all these things we can start doing right now:
Other suggestions involve projects that take planning:Bill and Gail recommended we read Kicking Habits - Welcome Relief for Addicted Churches, by Thomas Bandy. It will make us think about our habits -- and whether any of them should be kicked. Should we change our time for worship? Some churches have, and doubled their attendance. Should we try new styles of worship? Sing more songs? Should Church School always come before the worship service? Can we get by with fewer organizations? Substitute ad hoc groups to get a job done and then disband? Think about that!
Bill and Gail Royster gave up a weekend to give us a Saturday full of ideas. I can think of only one way to adequately express our appreciation, and that is by considering seriously the ideas and the suggestions they presented and then acting on them to make worship at our church a more meaningful experience.
CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION COMMITTEE UPDATE
by Jamie Adams
The Centennial Celebration Committee has been busy for most of the past year, planning a celebration of our church's hundredth anniversary this Spring. We'll be having a banquet on Saturday night the 31st of March, and a very special service at ten thirty on the morning of the 1st of April. We have invited a number of people with a past connection to our church to visit us that weekend. Most of our former ministers will have some part to play in the service, and there will be other folks who'll just want to be here to enjoy the fun.
You'll be receiving a letter soon, asking for three kinds of help. First, if you have any frequent flier miles you can donate, especially if they are for airlines flying to Britain, they will be useful for some of our former clergy and members, defraying part of the cost of getting them here. Second, if you have a little time and a reliable car, there are some people who'll need rides from and to the airport. I can testify that picking people up from the airport is no longer the ordeal it once was, and someone will show you the ropes. Third, if you have an empty nest, we'll probably have a bird or two to refill it, if only for a couple of nights. The letter will have a reservation card for the banquet, and boxes to check, indicating your ability to help in any of the categories. Of course, if you are one of the out-of-towners, we'd be very grateful if you'd begin thinking about whether you can attend, and responding promptly to the invitation letter, so that we can plan more precisely. We really want all this to be uncharacteristically well organized.
As for the cost of the banquet, we aren't planning anything extravagant, and if the cost is too high for you, or for you and yours, trust us, we have our ways. No one will be left out!
JANUARY "HATS OFF" RECOGNITIONS
Our Corporate Worship
7 Communion Steward: Norma Hawes
Scripture Readers Time With Children Acolytes
7 Carol Barrett Yoshi Kaneda Jeffrey Lemley
14 Lynne Lemley Rich Thompson Olivia Deisler
21 Lisa Kirch John Burlinson
28 Sharon Brown Michael Adams Kaitlyn Newell
Ushers Hosts, Fellowship Hour
7 Steve Domingue, Bree Hawes Domingue Farewell to Yoshi & Setsuko, Epiphany Potluck
14 Jake Burlinson, Ned Murphy Welcome Back, Rich, Interim Minister
21 Dave Ross, Vic Appel Geneva Ross
28 Craig Headley, Mark McCoy Annual Meeting, Pizza Party
Other:
Vic Appel, George Carruthers and Paul Deisler worked very hard in the refurbishing of the church basement, Friday, January 5.
Julia Ross, flutist, and Robin Rosson, cellist, brought special music on Sunday, January 21.
To Share. . . Question, Exclamation, Prayer seen on plaques in a gift store:
What part of "Thou Shalt Not" didn't you understand? -God
The Ten Commandments are not multiple ;choice! -God
Lord, if you won't make me skinny, please make my friends fat!
KANEDA'S FAREWELL APPRECIATION
Thanks to everyone who took part as we bid farewell to Yoshi and Setsuko, Sunday, January 7th: Worship Assistants, Choir, Melanie Wilkinson, Guest Soloist, Nodie Murphy, Florence Castle, Church Trio, and the Fun & Fellowship Committee, Potluck coordinators. Also, to those who participated in/planned the heart-warming Farewell Party following the meal.
"To all who contributed to this most meaningful occasion, words cannot express our thanks and to those who wrote lovely, kind expression in notes, letters and cards, and for the gifts, we will be always reminded of the great privilege to be counted members of this wonderful family of God. We must, of course, acknowledge the generous financial gift from members and friends. We were delighted and surprised, and very, very grateful. Yoshi & Setsuko
BRAZOS ASSOCIATION HOSTED FAREWELL PARTY
On Friday, January 5, the Brazos Association, Rev. Christine Tinker, Moderator, hosted a Farewell Party for Yoshi and Setsuko. They were presented a "Texan" gift, given warm greetings, prayers, and best wishes, on Yoshi's retirement. A delicious meal was enjoyed by the 23 persons present.
PERSONALS
By Catherine Hubbs
January was a month of major changes. On Epiphany Sunday we said goodbye to Yoshi and Setsuko Kaneda after a decade of ministry with us. Yoshi left us in his last sermon a memorable symbol. He likened us to a Jacuzzi - not always a comfortable bath but always stimulating. He wished for us to become a geyser of faith and works. Fran Briggs coordinated our farewell, held in the sanctuary following a potluck luncheon. Carol Barrett acted as M.C. John Moore, Church Moderator, presented a congregational gift, and Fran Briggs presented the Kanedas with a scrapbook of photos and memories from the congregation. Nodie Murphy presented a gift from the choir to Setsuko. The following week they left for San Diego, where the house they own was waiting for them, remodeled. All kinds of good wishes follow them. One wish that they have already expressed is to join a choir together. Setsuko, every time our choir meets, it just doesn't seem right not to have you and your beautiful alto singing with us! Have a wonderful retirement, you two.
The next Sunday, January 14, we welcomed Rev. Richard "Rich" Thompson as our interim. He greeted us with a sermon based on the wedding in Cana at the start of Jesus' ministry: "The Life of the Party." (You can see it on the church's web site: http://congregational.faithweb.com). And in the Fellowship Room we welcomed him and his wife, Jane. Thank you both for being there for us and agreeing to lead us in our interim.
Fittingly enough, the theme of welcoming was carried out the following Saturday, January 20 in a Hospitality Workshop (see article by Tommie Pinkard in detail.) They gave high marks to the hard work and pruning done by Vic Appel, Building and Grounds and Workday volunteers who have done so much to improve the inside and outside of our church.
We sympathize and send our love to Marguerite White, who two weeks ago lost a brother who lived in Brady.
Many of you met Jim Sprinkle, Matt Blackstock's son-in-law, who was most helpful in helping us locate possible sites for a church home during our efforts at relocation. We were disturbed to hear from Matt that Jim has suffered from myocarditis, an inflammation of the muscular part of the wall of the heart. He is in the process of recovery, and we all pray for him a speedy return to good health. We also sympathize with Louise Froelich upon the death of her sister.
Michael Adams and daughter Julia made a quick trip to see Michael's mother because she was not doing well in a nursing home situation. He hoped to care for her here for a while, but she is presently at home in the care of her husband. They are trying to find additional home care. We sympathize, Michael, and our prayers are with you all.
We share the concerns of our refugees, Martin and Judith and their children, for their family in the Congo. Their assassinated president came from their native town. We pray for the safety of their family.
Rizer and Hildegard Everett have good news to tell this month. Their daughter Dot visited, shopped for her mother, and helped in numerous ways. Moreover, she found out that pictures painted by Rizer's father and sold to Dr. F. L. Whitney, geologist and paleontologist, had been given by his daughter to the University Faculty Center at 405 W. 25th. She took Rizer and Hildegard to see them: "Scene at Onion Creek" and "Scene at Bull Creek," both oil paintings done in the 1930's. And to top things off, on January 18 Hildegard's physical therapist gave her permission to use her walker to go to the central dining hall for her main meal as noon. Congratulations, both of you! That's a big step!
Norma Hawes has good news too. You may remember that two years ago her sister was operated on for lung cancer, and doctors felt that they had removed all cancer. So now, when she had to undergo a hysterectomy, they immediately tested to see if there was any sign of cancer. Preliminary testing says no cancer whatever. Great news!
Suzanne VanderPoel has had a week of ups and downs--literally. She had been doing a dance exercise, stopped for a few moments and suddenly realized she couldn't walk another step, stretched out on the floor, and spent the rest of the night there. When she managed to drive her car to the doctor's office, it died in the driveway, and nothing would bring it to life again. Suzanne's brother confirmed that the car was indeed dead, took her to the radiologist, then had to leave for work. Bless Rich Thompson! He came over and helped her get back up to her apartment. Her brother returned bearing gifts: the loan of crutches and the gift of a brand new Chevrolet Cavalier. Medical tests were negative. The doctor thinks she pulled a tendon or ligament behind the kneecap, and she is slowly improving. Now how about a nice boring 8:00 to 5:00 type week?
Suzanne did very much enjoy the wedding on January 6 of her cousin's oldest son at the Methodist Church in San Marcos. The reception at Omni South Park in their ballroom was attended by 350 people.
John Towery officiated at another wedding. Emily Case was married to Andrew Burgess Eastwood III on January 13 at 3:00 pm in our church. Eleanor Towery tells us she was a beautiful bride. Her sister Julie is now attending Baylor. Those who are long-time members remember the tragic murder of their mother, Ruth, when they were very young. Allan remarried Janet Poehl Case. She teaches in Round Rock, and together they have raised the girls to be fine young women.
Additional notes on Christmas past: Jim Tomasek says they enjoyed a visit from their daughter Dorcas. You may have met Joe McMillan's houseguest, Douglas Spence. A friend for thirty years, he is an artist who has painted large acrylic pictures, 6' x 6,' 4' x 4,' or 4' x 5.' He also does colorful, fired ceramic pieces, useful and waterproof. Joe says you can look him up on his web site. (Check with Joe. Catherine tried but evidently did not write down the correct URL.) His one-man exhibit is hung in the Atlantic City Airport. The Oakes, celebrating the birth of their first grandchild, Emily Rose Jinsook Buck with her parents, Beth and Eugene Buck, were joined on December 24 in Iowa City by Mardie after completing her first several weeks of classes in the Harvard MBA program, where she is enjoying the challenging course work and the stimulating environment. Sarah and John couldn't join them because they were in Houston and Louisiana for Christmas and the wedding of John's brother. Pat says they were sorely missed but she is sure that they did not miss the fifteen inches of snow and the single digit temperatures in Iowa. By the way, if you want to see pictures of Emily, try the Bucks' web site: http://geneandbeth.com . Click on Emily once you get to the site.
Jane Thompson, Rich's wife, has accepted a position as school librarian at Joslin Elementary. We wish her well. Rich says he has been experimenting with the culinary arts since she became Joslin librarian. Check with Marie Scheel, Jane. She once was music teacher at Joslin and will be interested in your new job.
Jane's first husband died of A.L.S,, better known as Lou Gehrig's disease. He wrote for the Chicago Sun Times. When he became ill, he conceived the idea for A.L.S. A Beginner's Manual, by Cecil Neth, Family, and Friends and wrote the first chapter: "The Courage to Face Death." Jane wrote the forward to the latest edition and the chapter entitled "Reaching the End." Her son-in-law designed the web site with links to the Les Turner ALS Foundation, Skokie, Illinois. Here is printed the latest edition of the book and you can access it by going to: http://www.alscecilneth.net. Thank you, Jane, for sharing this with us.
When Catherine checked with Nancy Brown, she was back from her exercise calls, which she has evidently been attending three times a week for the last fifteen years. She leads the class on Mondays. And she was just about to pick up one of the two disabled women whom she takes on errands. Is this what you call retirement, Nancy? Congratulations!
Catherine caught up with Lisa Kirch in the middle of spring cleaning, and it isn't even February yet! She tells us that Sarah has another new cousin, Bernard Hess Booth V, born in Jackson, Mississippi on January 2. It makes her fourth new cousin in less than a year.
Have you said hello yet to Diane Tate, Cecile Shopen, or Ellen Ryan's husband, Art Simpkin? Cecile is friend of Lisa's. They both got their Masters in Art History on the same day. Cecile lives at 3004 Cherry, 78703, and Diane at 3001 Glenview, 78703 (499-0375). We are indebted to her for finding in an Elgin antique mall a copy of the Congregational Church bulletin for December 9, 1923, the date of the opening service at our present location! Thank you, Ellen!
Nodie and Dennis Murphy are still closing out their office. All but one of their employees have found jobs elsewhere. Dennis and Nodie are glad but have to do the work formerly done by seven people! More power to you both! Moreover, in addition to leading our choir with Norma Hawes, she is working with Melanie Wilkinson and Sally Tomasek and many others to put on their splendid variety show, Swanee, to be held in Round Rock on February 9-10. It is scheduled two days before Sally is expecting her baby! And Sally is supposed to dance!
Last year Melanie and the Austin Singers sang Duke Ellington's Sacred Songs at the First Baptist Church. It was such a splendid performance that they are repeating it on demand this year on February 18, probably in the afternoon. Nodie and Dennis went to it last year and say it is not to be missed.
Jim Tomasek's sister-in-law hosted a Thanksgiving party in Lincoln, Nebraska this year, so the Tomaseks were able to visit with his mother and other relatives.
Two birding trips took place this last month. The Whites and the Rosses can compare notes. Marguerite and Ben White went down to see friends who spend from January till the end of March in an RV at San Benito. They took them to Santa Ana and Atacosa Birding Center near Port Isabel and succeeded in making enthusiastic bird watchers of them. The Rosses got one day of good birding weather out of the three-day Martin Luther King Birthday weekend. They went down to Choke Canyon State Park about seventy miles south of San Antonio and saw about forty different bird species. Sounds like fun!
C O M I N G : VALENTINE ANNIVERSARY POTLUCK, FEBRUARY 11TH
We plan to celebrate special wedding anniversaries at this potluck, so please tell Louise Whitworth in the church office (472-2370) or Suzanne VanderPoel (302-1970) if you or someone you know will be hitting any landmark anniversaries this year.
Please save the date and sign up for the potluck in the Fellowship Room!
CHRISTPOWER
Look at him!
Look not at his divinity,
but look, rather, at his freedom.
Look not at the exaggerated tales of his power,
but look, rather, at his infinite capacity
to give himself away.
Look not at the first-century mythology that surrounds him,
but look, rather at his courage to be,
his ability to live
the contagious quality of his love.
Stop your frantic search!
Be still and know that this is God:
this love,
this being.
And
When you are accepted,
accept yourself;
When you are forgiven,
forgive yourself;
When you are loved,
love yourself.
Grasp that Christ power
and
dare to be yourself!
Afterthought... Worrying does not empty tomorrow of its troubles.
It only empties today of its strength!
MISSION NEWS
Contributions amounting to $521.00 from members of our church to the Special Fund for the Homeless has been gratefully acknowledged by the Austin Area Interreligious Ministries. Also, Austin Interfaith has received the $300.00 pledge from our church.
Smile awhile. . .
What a Grandmother Is
A grandmother is a lady who has no children of her own. She likes other people's little girls. A grandfather is a man grandmother. He goes for walks with boys and they talk about fishing and tractors and things like that.
Grandmothers don't have to do anything but be there. They are old so they shouldn't play hard or run. It is enough if they take us to the store where the pretend horse is, and have lots of dimes ready, or if they take us for walks they should slow down passing things like pretty leaves or caterpillars. They should never say "hurry-up."
Usually they are fat, but not too fat to tie your shoes. They wear glasses and funny underwear. They can take their teeth, and gums off. It is better if they don't type write or play cards except with us. They don't have to be smart only answer questions like why dogs hate cats and things like that.
They don't talk baby talk like visitors do because it is hard to understand. When they read to us they don't skip words or mind if it is the same story again and again.
Everybody should try to have one, especially if you don't have a television, because grandmothers are the only grownups who have got time. -by a third grade
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