A New Countdown

My last everything at First Broad Street is over so I'm no longer counting down the days. I found a picture from our Luau that I could share. Now the countdown is for a new beginning. In 18 days I start a new job at First Farragut in West Knoxville. But as we make this transition there are some things we REALLY want to have fall into place.

First -- our house in Kingsport needs to find a new owner. We've had several nibbles but no one has made that offer (or any offer).

Second -- Gincy needs a job. She had a good interview on this past Friday, but 70 people applied. She was one of five asked in for an interview. She is an incredible teacher, so I know someone is going to be blessed to have her.

Third -- We've got to have a place to stay in Farragut (or nearby). The optimal plan was to sell our house in Kingsport and then buy a house in Farragut ... but since we've not completed "First" we are in a quandry over "Third". Currently our plan is to take a vacation! One of my favorite sayings is, "When the going gets tough, the tough take a vacation." Our temporary plan is to camp in my parents' motorhome. Tonight we are staying at the "Soaring Eagle RV Park" in Lenoir City. Tomorrow -- it's Myrtle Beach!

It was great to run into John & Renni Morris while setting up my sister with babysitting my Jeep Wrangler. Everyone at First Farragut have been so wonderful. I can't wait (Did I mention I was taking a vacation) to get to work!

Charred!

If Wednesday was a Roast then last night was a Charring. What a wild night at First Broad Street! It started with Master of Ceremonies Jim Welch's comment that he was "Amazed that this many people turned out to see you leave." And it went down hill from there. I can't remember the last time I laughed so hard. I don't know how many Trustee rules were broken, but I'm glad I'm going to miss that meeting!

The theme -- Luau Tribute for John Brewster-- to the food and the decorations -- orchids!!! Everything was spectacular! Four "roastings" by Rev. John Bardsley, Rev. Jack Weikel, Rev. Jack Edwards, and my current D.S., Rev. Fred Dearing were only the warm up for the entertainment for the evening. I then became the theatrical prop for the "Billows of Smoke" Men's Ensemble presentation of "Man of La Manche" and "There Is Nothin' Like a Dame". Again, I don't remember horses in "South Pacific"! There was another Ode by the "Five Blondes!" (I knew we were in trouble when there were only 3). Yes, this one was put to music (if you can call it that). I will not share it in this blog -- way to much information for my Farragut readers too soon!

The Mission Intern Music Video was out of this world. I still have the song playing in my head. FANTASTIC! The video greetings from those who were not able to be present was priceless. And then there was the "First Farragut Fudge" -- there are not words to accurately describe this. How Retta, Janet and Mike pulled this one off I'll never know. I can only say that Julia is jealous and wants the recipe.

BIT: I have not run across any pictures that I would share, but I will share the closing song with my blog readers. Again, it was by the "Five (really 3) Blondes!" and is set to the tune of "Danny Boy"

Oh John-ny Boy, the Bishop, He's a callin'

from down the road on Knoxville's Western side,

First Fair-gut needs a new Senior Pastor

It's you, it's you must go and we must 'bide,

but come ye back when Forty's done thru Knoxville

or when Jul-ia gets you run out of town

For we'll be here with Clark and his short sermons,

Oh John-ny Boy, Oh John-ny Boy, we'll miss you so.

And, First Broad Street, I will miss you so.

Roast

2 Days and Counting. Yesterday was my last Staff Meeting and, as was tradition, the staff roasted the outgoing person. It really wasn't too bad. Except for Nancy Tate coming unglued about 30 seconds into a story from my first year and having to sit down, and Karen Baker telling the "Bite Me" story, it was not too weepy or embarrassing (and I got an electric guitar that plays "It's a Small World", muscle rub?, and a 12 pack of Diet Coke!!!)

This morning was my last time in Contemplative Prayer. This has been such a surprising connection for me. I would have never believed I would have lasted for a year and half in a group that sits around in silence. But it has been refreshing spiritually. What a great support group these people have been. I will miss them and hope to continue this spiritual discipline into my ministry at Farragut. Who knows, maybe there's some budding mystics in West Knoxville?

BIT: Joy Eastridge shared an Ode (I guess that is what it is called, even though she didn't sing it) at my roast:

John Brewster

May 27, 2008

My favorite thing about John is his laugh,

He helps to make working here at First Broad Street such a blast!

If "laughter is the best medicine" indeed

Then he's the only Parish Nurse we truly need.

Three years ago he welcomed me to the Nurture Team

And made it all easy it seemed,

Keeping up with the needs and wants and sometimes demands

Of such a varied, and really enormous holy clan he understands.

An admitted "Type A"

He's learned to cope with lots of delays

Going with the flow

In contemporary God is always in charge of the show.

Preaching, teaching, leading by example, taking a stand

He's much more than a one man band.

He's kept all those balls up in the air in a beautiful juggle

[Helping me through many a computer muddle.]

Allowing God to work through him

His Grace lending a hand.

A creative powerhouse and humble spirit,

Through humor and the Gospel he helps us really feel it.

A gentle dad, to Max the Mighty and Kile the Kind

A loving husband to Gincy the Jovial.

Visiting, calling, comforting, showing true friendship

To anyone in need this man guides the membership.

Thank you, John, here you will be truly missed.

Your presence amongst us has been a blessed gift.

Thank You Staff of First Broad Street -- I will truly miss you and your ministry with me has been a blessed gift. Thanks for Five Fantastic Years!

Clark

Rev. A. Clark Jenkins has been our Senior Pastor since June of last year. This means I've not had a whole lot of time to really get to know him. Clark brings a contagious personality with a great sense of humor. It has been fun talking with him about First Broad Street and ministry in general.

BIT: I will miss Clark's passion for mission and justice ministries. May First Broad Street continue to live into their new motto: "A Church at the Heart of the City with the City at Heart." Clark is the one facing forward. Danny Howe, Director of Missions, is the backward one!

Just Jack

There are two people to thank (or roll their yards) for bringing me to First Broad Street and Kingsport. The first is Rev. Grady Winegar, who was the Kingsport D.S. and will retire this year at Annual Conference. He was my first Senior Pastor when I was appointed as the Associate Pastor at Wesley Memorial in Cleveland, TN. The other is Rev. Jack Edwards. Jack retired last year as the Senior Pastor of First Broad Street and then took a full time job at Carter-Trent Funeral Home. He is working on becoming a licensed funeral director.

Jack had planned on coming to my last services yesterday. I met him outside Carter-Trent on my way to my jeep after worship. They had gotten several calls and he had not been able to come. He and his wife Judy are wonderful people. Even though Jack is no longer on staff at First Broad Street, I will miss him. We've gone out to lunch and had several phone conversations even after his retirement-- especially centered around my decision to move this year. His wisdom and prayer support have helped to get me through these crazy days. I also know that he and Judy will be taking more trips to Knoxville ... so, I'm sure I'll get to see them (I don't think you'll have to pry the reason out of Judy!)

BIT: You may have noticed that I have a talent at selecting very artistic pictures.

Nancy

Today was my last Sunday -- 5 days and counting! We had two fantastic worship services in Contemporary! Yes, despite my strict instructions prohibiting anything that might illicit a weepy moment, there they were. In 8:30 Contemporary, Stephanie Wood (the worship leader) was doing a great job (as always) until she started praying for Gincy and me and the kids during the morning prayer ... she's fired! Next, at 10:45 Contemporary everything was great until the band decided to end the service with "Friends are Friends Forever". What part of "no weep" did we miss!

As I think about things I will miss, the list is enormous. I've been spending time reflecting on my Nurture Staff. Nancy Tate is Director of Congregational Care and had hoped to make it to at least one of my last services. But Nancy wears many hats at First Broad Street. Some have compared our worship schedule on Sunday mornings to a Worship Mall -- 6 different services in a 3 1/2 hour period! Nancy's other hat is coordinating these. So, she was so busy this Sunday, she couldn't make it to Contemporary.

BIT: I will miss Nancy because she is phenomenal! She is a wonderful woman with such a compassionate Spirit. She knows so much about First Broad Street and our members. She's the one I ask when I have a question or a concern about someone. She is indeed my right hand (and has been known to keep me out of trouble!). Nancy also has a deep love for the church and all of our people ... especially those who are in crisis or hurting. She is a natural part of our Nurture Team!

BIT II: Nancy is the one on the right in the picture. The other person is the ever-dedicated Mary Jane Alley who works with the very talented Sue Ann Greene and Dr. Mike McIntire (who loves a good spreadsheet) . My motto is: It's always good to keep those who sign your paycheck happy!

Jack, The Supreme

I remember one of my first experiences at First Broad Street. It was teaching a Wednesday Night Bible Study. I looked up from my notes and there amongst the 40 or so participants were Rev. Spurgeon McCartt (former Senior Pastor of FBS and a former District Superintendent), Rev. Jack Edwards (Senior Pastor of FBS and a former District Superintendent), and Rev. Jack Weikel (former Senior Pastor of Broad Street in Cleveland and a former District Superintendent). I thought to myself (edited version), "What am I doing here!"

When Jack Edwards and Jack Weikel and myself would meet to discuss Pastoral Care issues, we would joke that if the title for Jack Edwards was Senior Pastor then Jack Weikel (who is older) should be Supreme Pastor. My self-designated title was Ass. Pastor, but it never really took off -- they stuck with Minister of Nurture.

The picture that I've included is of the new and improved Nurture Staff at First Broad Street. This particular picture will not be used in the upcoming Church Directory because Jack has a candle sconce coming out of his head.

BIT: I am going to miss Jack Weikel and his fantastic wife Nancy (who worked with our Bereavement Ministry and now works with Retta and Forever Young). They are truly a "power couple" of First Broad Street. They share their love and care and leadership with the Church. I'm going to especially miss Jack's mentoring (he's been there and done that, usually more than once), his wise thoughts (I'll be calling him up to get some of these even if it is long distance), and his wise cracks.