Gala Coming and Church Going

[written on Sunday, October 11, 2020]

We headed out early Friday morning, Molly at the wheel, Oxford baseball cap shading her eyes, as we headed east, toward St. Paul and beyond to Woodbury’s Crossroads Church at the corner of Cottage Grove.
 
We were to spend the day in a vast TV studio, taping the various segments of our Pilgrim Center’s Annual Gala, a grand “virtual” gathering of our friends across these cities and the world, at 7:00 pm on Thursday, October 22, presented through technology. That large church’s technical staff would work with our Jan Leadholm and Crissy Ginther, and of course, Dr. Jim Olson, to record the various parts of that exciting evening coming.
 
The stage was set. The theme is GROWING HOPE. A wonderful welcome was offered by our granddaughter, Anna Jeide Detweiler and her husband, Nathan. Todd and Mary Bertelson were there to reflect on the experience of these years of African retreats, and to make their winsome appeal for support of this continuing, miraculous, and transforming ministry. Dr. Jim and his Annette had an inviting word, as did my “Mama Molly.”
 
Testimony was given by board member, Dr. Monica, just back from South Sudan, her homeland. Our other Annette offered beautiful music.
 
Finally, our Anna invited her Papa to close it out with a last word and benediction.
 
All hard work, taping and re-taping on that beautiful flaming-color day. Sara Tucker was there with her professional camera to gather us all for a picture together. And then, it was all done.
 
Lunch had been brought in. We prayed, and ate, and enjoyed last minutes together before we broke for the afternoon.
 
It was hard to leave. We wanted to linger. Suddenly, we said, “How about we all go to the Spirit-filled Zion Church in the northside for worship this Sunday?”
 
We miss church so much, since our church is only open in-person two Sundays per month this fall. And, through our Christian Visitors, and Gardner Gay’s invitation, we have found Zion to be a singing, swaying, Spirit-filled, wise and passionate-preaching company of increasingly good friends in Christ.
 
Today, Dr. Jim, Annette, and son Noah, met us there for a deep-praying, persuasive-preaching time. Pastor Brian’s lovely wife gave a beautifully planned, earnestly preached sermon, asking “Who am I?” and answering God’s child, in fact, through His Holy Spirit, “I am filled with Him.”
 
A stirring, encouraging word. We all blessed each other, went outside for another half-hour of introducing and fellowship as Christian brothers and sisters. Oh, what a time!
 
We just do need each other. So, come to the GALA on October 22. And pray to help “church” happen, across Minnesota, America, and the world – helping us all, in these coronavirus times, to be joyfully “one in the Spirit, and one in the Lord!”
 
Cheers, friends!
Arthur
[Let Crissy know that you’ll be at the Gala by calling 952-946-6990 or email your RSVP to cginther@pilgrimcenter.org].