| +Hartley |
The hot, July sun was not a deterrent to the spirit and enthusiasm of a missionary journey that we descended on
this July. Two Pastoral calls, (St Joseph, Missouri and Sioux Falls, South Dakota). We began taking a peek at the
unspoiled country side of the Midwest, enjoying its landscape. We began our journey in Ottawa, Kansas, a sleepy
little town proud of its history where a confederate flag still flies in the local antique store. As we
proceeded on highway 35 South, cattle could be seen in the sun grazing, We wondered how they took
the heat, as we watched them plunging their heads in the man made lakes for a cool drink of water
As we headed to St Joseph, Missouri, the Waffle House was our stop for breakfast. We dined on bacon
and eggs and over priced orange juice, ever mindful of our diets. Sunday, Mass was highlighted with
our journey to St Paul’s Lutheran Church where our Sudanese congregants meet. They came from all
over the Midwest to be confirmed (105) as Anglicans. The service lasted five (5) hours, truly enjoyable,
and spirit filled.
Monday, we headed back into the heat of the Midwest going through Kansas where on its Turnpike we
were promptly mugged in broad daylight by a gentleman in a tollbooth who demanded, $6.00 to travel on
their highways. (Toll in the Midwest !!?). Crossing over into Oklahoma (OK), we continued our journey.
They too mugged us for a Toll; we began to wonder if we would be broke before we reached our
destination.
The OK border gave new light on the Midwest. We saw hundreds of Dirt Witches (oil drilling equipment)
bobbing up an down. We wondered aloud, "Why are we importing oil from the Middle East when it
seems there is much about in OK?" On the populated highways 35 South, we saw many traveling trucks
carrying their wares of commerce, including trucks carrying steers sadly peeking through tiny window
holes NOT knowing their destination. Our hearts went out to them as they knew NOT that they would be
steaks by nightfall. Arriving in Tulsa, our purpose was visiting retired Pentecostal Minister,
Rev Cornelius McGuire, along with his wife at St John Mercy Hospital. Mrs. McGuire was glad to see us
Her son, Fr David said, "She called us a young Bishop.", (We did not correct this compliment.) We
prayed with Rev McGuire who suffers from prostate cancer, it was painful, but yet there was joy, hoping
that this wonderful couple who recently celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary, will see their 75th.
Heading on to OK, City along highway 44, we stopped by the campus of Oral Roberts University. We
have heard much about this school since days of youth. Its majestic campus with quiet dignity and
solitude, (quiet because of the summer break), its Prayer Chapel was a place of traveling spiritual
refreshment.
ON to OK City, we saw images of the original founding fathers, Chief Joseph, Sitting Bull, Geronimo and
Red Cloud. Their advertised portraits gives a splash of American history past, with gift shops of Indian
culture, restaurants, where courage invited us to dine of on a Buffalo Burger!!!!
One cannot visit OK City without being reminded of the tragic events of 1995, where 168 people lost
their lives at the hands of evil. Visiting this most sacred sight, emotions are still abound, but the
monument to fallen innocence is glowing tribute that those who died will never be forgotten. Its 168
memorial chairs illuminates at night, met with quiet dignity by those who visit. We sat under the barked
sole survivor tree, standing on the spot where evil was ignited, fragments of original shattered walls
remains.
Moving on in our journey, we passed many antiques shops who bade us look before reaching the
borders of South Dakota for another pastoral visit. We stopped off in Council Bluff, Iowa where we
visited benefactors, gratefully receiving their gifts to the work of the ACW.
On the return drive home, we saw new images we missed going in. Again we saw cattle trucks, doomed
steers and unknown destinations. How sad it was for us as we dined along the highway; we could not
entertain a steak, not sure if we passed our meal on the highway.
Many cities crossed our paths, from the vaunted hilly roads of Excelsior Springs, Missouri, through
small towns where more cattle than people are about. We forgot that speed limits change and the
highway patrol was somewhere lurking in the bushes. Thus, looking in our mirror we saw red and blue
lights flashing behind us, doing (she said) 87 in a 70 mile zone. Thankfully, with our ever present smile,
she sent us on our way, advising us to slow down, and wishing us a nice day, … no ticket.
Joyful was the journey. We rejoiced that our visits brought new Anglicans to the ACW. Sometime if you
can, take a peek at the Midwest, see its majesty of life, its untold mysteries and stories of lives you
never met, residing, standing proudly, WATCHING HOW THEY GO
+ Hartley, Archbishop Metropolitan, ACW.
Pastoral Visit in AUGUST
Springfield, Missouri
Hollywood, Florida
Palm Bay, Florida
Good Shepherd in Illinois
this July. Two Pastoral calls, (St Joseph, Missouri and Sioux Falls, South Dakota). We began taking a peek at the
unspoiled country side of the Midwest, enjoying its landscape. We began our journey in Ottawa, Kansas, a sleepy
little town proud of its history where a confederate flag still flies in the local antique store. As we
proceeded on highway 35 South, cattle could be seen in the sun grazing, We wondered how they took
the heat, as we watched them plunging their heads in the man made lakes for a cool drink of water
As we headed to St Joseph, Missouri, the Waffle House was our stop for breakfast. We dined on bacon
and eggs and over priced orange juice, ever mindful of our diets. Sunday, Mass was highlighted with
our journey to St Paul’s Lutheran Church where our Sudanese congregants meet. They came from all
over the Midwest to be confirmed (105) as Anglicans. The service lasted five (5) hours, truly enjoyable,
and spirit filled.
Monday, we headed back into the heat of the Midwest going through Kansas where on its Turnpike we
were promptly mugged in broad daylight by a gentleman in a tollbooth who demanded, $6.00 to travel on
their highways. (Toll in the Midwest !!?). Crossing over into Oklahoma (OK), we continued our journey.
They too mugged us for a Toll; we began to wonder if we would be broke before we reached our
destination.
The OK border gave new light on the Midwest. We saw hundreds of Dirt Witches (oil drilling equipment)
bobbing up an down. We wondered aloud, "Why are we importing oil from the Middle East when it
seems there is much about in OK?" On the populated highways 35 South, we saw many traveling trucks
carrying their wares of commerce, including trucks carrying steers sadly peeking through tiny window
holes NOT knowing their destination. Our hearts went out to them as they knew NOT that they would be
steaks by nightfall. Arriving in Tulsa, our purpose was visiting retired Pentecostal Minister,
Rev Cornelius McGuire, along with his wife at St John Mercy Hospital. Mrs. McGuire was glad to see us
Her son, Fr David said, "She called us a young Bishop.", (We did not correct this compliment.) We
prayed with Rev McGuire who suffers from prostate cancer, it was painful, but yet there was joy, hoping
that this wonderful couple who recently celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary, will see their 75th.
Heading on to OK, City along highway 44, we stopped by the campus of Oral Roberts University. We
have heard much about this school since days of youth. Its majestic campus with quiet dignity and
solitude, (quiet because of the summer break), its Prayer Chapel was a place of traveling spiritual
refreshment.
ON to OK City, we saw images of the original founding fathers, Chief Joseph, Sitting Bull, Geronimo and
Red Cloud. Their advertised portraits gives a splash of American history past, with gift shops of Indian
culture, restaurants, where courage invited us to dine of on a Buffalo Burger!!!!
One cannot visit OK City without being reminded of the tragic events of 1995, where 168 people lost
their lives at the hands of evil. Visiting this most sacred sight, emotions are still abound, but the
monument to fallen innocence is glowing tribute that those who died will never be forgotten. Its 168
memorial chairs illuminates at night, met with quiet dignity by those who visit. We sat under the barked
sole survivor tree, standing on the spot where evil was ignited, fragments of original shattered walls
remains.
Moving on in our journey, we passed many antiques shops who bade us look before reaching the
borders of South Dakota for another pastoral visit. We stopped off in Council Bluff, Iowa where we
visited benefactors, gratefully receiving their gifts to the work of the ACW.
On the return drive home, we saw new images we missed going in. Again we saw cattle trucks, doomed
steers and unknown destinations. How sad it was for us as we dined along the highway; we could not
entertain a steak, not sure if we passed our meal on the highway.
Many cities crossed our paths, from the vaunted hilly roads of Excelsior Springs, Missouri, through
small towns where more cattle than people are about. We forgot that speed limits change and the
highway patrol was somewhere lurking in the bushes. Thus, looking in our mirror we saw red and blue
lights flashing behind us, doing (she said) 87 in a 70 mile zone. Thankfully, with our ever present smile,
she sent us on our way, advising us to slow down, and wishing us a nice day, … no ticket.
Joyful was the journey. We rejoiced that our visits brought new Anglicans to the ACW. Sometime if you
can, take a peek at the Midwest, see its majesty of life, its untold mysteries and stories of lives you
never met, residing, standing proudly, WATCHING HOW THEY GO
+ Hartley, Archbishop Metropolitan, ACW.
Pastoral Visit in AUGUST
Springfield, Missouri
Hollywood, Florida
Palm Bay, Florida
Good Shepherd in Illinois
| Traveling the Great Divide (Summer 2010) Missionary Journey |
| Silent Sermon |