Your Serve (Part Two)

“Traditional Service” and “Contemporary Service”. The original sign provided directional cues to each distinct event. What if this was the actual sign? It obviously changes things.

The original sign allows the individual to respond to his or her specific interest or desire. If you like your “gathering” to contain elements contemporary in expression, you know which way to go. If you like your “gathering” to contain elements traditional in nature, you know which way to go. The original sign could use additional defining. After all, one persons contemporary is another persons traditional. “And the beat goes on”.

In part one I emphasized the use of the word “gathering”. The words “contemporary” and “traditional” are now removed and “gathering” is no longer the emphasis. The sign still provides directional choice but is it a choice of YOUR interest or desire? What would be your response?

Your Serve (Part One)

Recently my wife and I were in a larger community about an hour from our home. We passed one of the downtown churches and my wife said “you need to turn around and get a picture of the sign on that church”. I navigated a return to the building, parked and walked to the front where the sign of interest was posted.

The sign provoked a myriad of emotions. I have experienced these emotions any number of times over the past several years. Still, reading this sign brought a rush over me. My inner voice was responding with voluminous certainty, “do we really know what we are talking about?”

I urge you to hear me. This blog is not about this particular church. I have not mentioned the community or the church intentionally. It just happens the be the first time I’ve actually seen such a sign. My comments are about the climate that would call for a church to decide to post such a sign. To a degree, it is the manifestation of things spoken and unspoken.

In part one of this blog, I would like to give observation on the intended communications of this sign. For many, my comments will be familiar. I will seek to refrain from opinion. I have an opinion but I do not wish to give emphasis to that opinion. I hope part one will serve as a catalyst for part two. Is there something else in this sign that might be identified? Could an unintended message be lurking?

Intended communication. This is signage installed by this church to communicate to its members and guests directions and information. I have never read any additional or relational material from this church, but I would almost “bet the farm” there are at least two things the church would like this sign to communicate.

First, this sign states that this church provides two distinct gatherings for believers and interested non-believers. It might be assumed these two gatherings are scheduled for the same time on the same day. If not, this sign communicates that one group does not fancy the idea of the other group gathering in their gathering room. If the latter is true, it would certainly provide for an interesting blog topic.

Second, these gatherings are planned with diverse types of elements. It might be this church is seeking to “appeal” to a divergent population with elements palatable to that particular population. This allows members and prospects to choose the service that best suits his or hers desires.

One gathering might contain elements that likely consists of familiar hymns accompanied by piano and organ. It would likely include individuals reading scripture or the congregation reading scripture responsively. There would be a sermon or homily by the minister. A choir would likely present a choral anthem.

The other gathering might contain newer songs with different instrumental  accompaniment. Perhaps drums and various rhythm instruments are used to supply musical accompaniment. It might be led vocally by a small ensemble. The use of drama or “interpretive movement” (dancing) would not be foreign. A facilitator might present conversational thoughts subsidized by audio-visual and other technical support.

My observations are probably more accurate than not, not because I’m clairvoyant but simply because this is what this sign is intended to communicate.

Did you notice I used the word “gatherings” where the sign used the word “service”?

"Train"ing Wheels

It is inspiring to watch enthusiasts. They often are as knowledgeable and functional at their select discipline as those who practice it for a profession. If the enthusiast’s discipline were turned into a job, their interest would more than likely deflate. Their ambassadorship is beyond monetary definition and to reduce it to a mere salary would erase personal passion.

Train enthusiasts are no exception. They have been and still are an integral part of the landscape of the railroad industry. Train enthusiasts possess a variety of focus and interests. Some focus on passenger trains while others on freight trains. Some may focus on a particular railroad company, even if the company that has passed into history. There are enthusiasts for particular types of locomotives while others dwell in the nostalgia of by-gone days.

My grandfather was a railroader. He worked with the Gulf, Mobile & Ohio Railroad, a line that has long since faded into the annals of railroading history. My grandfather died before I was born and although his railroad heritage has been passed to me, I am not in the ranks of enthusiasts. However, the passion of enthusiasts and the heritage of family have firmly planted experiences that are forever present with me. They are very much a part of my tapestry.

My “growing up years” were spent in Meridian, Mississippi. I lived in a fading working class neighborhood that bordered a once large railroad industry. Although the train industry was in its latter days of supremacy, my neighborhood was still filled with the sounds of trains and the activities of the freight yard.  Like the sounds in neighborhoods that are in the flight paths of major airports, the sounds of the train industry were mere background noise to me and my cohorts.

We were acclimated to the sounds. We were acclimated to the trains. The locomotives, the train cars and the tracks were all familiar. They were actually part of our exploration and play. Foolish...YES. Like many adults I look back on my developmental years and whisper a sentiment that “It’s a miracle I’m still alive”. I’ll not dwell on the details of our “play” but there are a few places in my life I consider myself to be a complete fool. This was one of them.

Our “firsts” hold vivid memories. I recognize that “firsts” do not necessarily equate to positive, but for my “first” train ride the experience was more than positive.

Over the course of several years Southern Railroad would bring an old steam locomotive to Meridian. It was restored and maintained for exhibition. With the help of enthusiasts and retired professionals the old locomotive would tour throughout the southeast. Its tour occasionally included a stop in Meridian.

We as kids usually had no foreknowledge of its arrival. It may have been announced in the paper or on radio but we weren’t mindful. For our group, the arrival of the steam locomotive would be announced by the call of its whistle. It would fill our neighborhood with that lonesome sound and we would come running. (or biking in our case)

It would usually visit for a few days. Enthusiasts from far and wide would appear in en mass and marvel at its majesty. We would stand around it for hours. We would ogle at the men charged with its operation. We would watch them climb on and off with competent dexterity. We would listen intently to its clicks and hisses and that would cause us to want to study its “innerds”. On rare occasion, when the stars were perfectly aligned, we would be “snuck” into the cabin by the engineer who would let us shovel in some coal.

We also knew the visit of the Steam Locomotive often brought an opportunity for an excursion. The public could buy tickets and ride a train pulled by the old steam engine.

One day it happened. My father announced that we were “excurting” and I busted a gut. As a boy I remember possessing the spiritual gift of busting a gut. What that means is I would get so excited that the gut could contain its possessions no longer and so it “bursted” forth. I assume you get the picture here.

My first train ride...and it was a train pulled by a steam locomotive. We sat in the back of the train. It was the section that had the cars with no windows. It was the section that was perfectly positioned to receive the soot from the burning coals. It would burn our nose and make our eyes water..

I do not recall, but I probably complained about something. I remember it being a warm day. I remember it was only a short twenty mile excursion. I remember there was some problems with the old locomotive. However, my memories have coalesced and brought their weight to bare in true fondness.

Trains have truly brought me training.

Ghost Tie

Oh...this picture. You think it disrespectful? It would be understandable. It’s not the most appropriate item, especially if discretion is the goal. It is a bit risque. Can you see what’s on the tie? Please note...if you can’t see what’s on the tie this blog will be confusing and senseless.

Did you see what’s on the tie?...... is your response “Oh my” and “it’s been placed on someones grave”. “Now that’s just taking things a little too far. The tie is naughty enough but now it’s on someones grave”.

Once again, your response is understandable. However, for those who knew Rusty and also know the origins of Ghost Tie this picture becomes both appropriate and fitting. You can be introduced to Rusty later. When you are introduced to Rusty you will better realize why the first picture of Ghost Tie was taken on his grave.

Ghost Tie has quickly become a family icon. He has been in the presence of my dad’s children and grandchildren for only a short time, about five months to be exact. Yet in his meteoric rise to familial stardom he has been seen and photographed literally around the world.

Ghost Tie has “covered” Mississippi. He has savored the aroma of the yellow rose of Texas. He has basked in the “mile high” air of Colorado. He knows the intoxicating lights of the Las Vegas strip. He has “hung out” with the ancient statuary of Greece.

Ghost Tie has felt the spray off the Aegean Sea. He has experienced the royalty of London. This week Ghost Tie returns to Europe to experience the deep musical roots of Austria and Germany. Soon Ghost Tie will be experiencing the northeast and visiting the ancient Inca sites in the mountains of Peru. ARE YOU TIRED YET??

My father possessed a vast number of ties. A significant number of them were cartoon and other novelty ties. He had Looney Tunes, Dr. Seuss and Tabasco ties just to name a few. His fun tie collection alone numbered over forty.  It should be noted that all the male family members picked out one of his fun ties and wore it to his funeral.

Why Ghost Tie? His name came in a simple way. One of my Dad’s grandchildren had a picture Ghost Tie sent to him in a text message. He was then asked what he saw on the tie. The small image didn’t provide much clarity and he interpreted ghosts. Hence...Ghost Tie.

Ghost Tie was discovered as my sister and I where going through my Dad’s closet. This was our first encounter with him. We were slow to recognize him for what he was. He finally registered to us.

My siblings and I did not consider our parents naive. However, like most adult children, there has been the occasional “surprise” that caused us to respond with... “OMG”. (If OMG is unfamiliar, ask any teenager who converses through text messages.) This was pretty much an OMG moment for us. OMG quickly dissolved into an earnest desire to know the back story of Ghost Tie.

We were clamoring to know how Ghost Tie arrived in my father’s tie collection. Did he purchase it in order to flirt with my Mom? Did my Mom purchase it to flirt with him? Did someone else buy it as a practical joke or white elephant gift? Did my Dad purchase it not really realizing what he purchased? Our biggest question was....”did he wear this tie to church”?

So the legend of Ghost Tie begins. Ghost Tie has his own domain with future plans to develop a website for him. It will be fun to see how far traveled Ghost Tie will be....

Stormy Weather

I remember in August 1969 when Hurricane Camille struck the Mississippi Gulf Coast. I was an eight year-old child. It was an event seared in my memory. A few weeks after Camille’s devastating winds and storm surge hit, our family traveled to the coast to see first hand the devastation and destruction. It left me with a sense of being in an alien and surreal landscape. I remember the sea of debris. I remember the plague of flies.

A few days after Katrina ravaged the gulf coast in 2005, I was driving a load of relief supplies to Biloxi. Having passed through Hattiesburg as I drove south on Highway 49, I began to see the tell-tale signs of Katrina’s rampage. Until that day I thought Camille would remain as the thousand year storm; the “high-water” mark so to speak. I was wrong.

This year has already established itself as memorable in terms of weather. It appears last week’s devastating outbreak of tornadoes and other severe weather events will be second only to the great outbreak of 1974.

For Mississippi and the Deep South it will be a greater event. It will be greater for two reasons. First, the number of fatalities. This outbreak took the lives of our families and friends. If not mistaken, it took their lives in greater numbers. Second, it began here in our backyard. Alabama bore the brunt of what manifested here in Mississippi.

Mississippi is now poised for another epic event. The Mississippi River is now forecast to reach record levels. In some places it is forecast to crest above the record 1927 flood. Levees are built. Even with the levee system, the backwater flooding will displace untold numbers and cause massive loss of property.

I recall my mother sharing stories about her days in World War II with my niece. Her stories were not an academic recall of facts about that great war. She shared the things that impacted her world the most. She shared how the war caused them to alter their lives. She eluded to how the war made her feel and think. She gave a peek into the emotions the war evoked. For those who listened she bridged a gap from historical fact to personal history.

I wonder how the present epic events will be woven into the tapestry of our personal history?