# 21, December 19, 2002

Bell Ringing and Christmas Social Were Super Super Super

Last Saturday during the day a number of Shepsons rigorously rang the Salvation Army Bell under the enthusiastic command of seven (perfect number) star General Sheila Lee Jackson Grant Marsh. No purple hearts were awarded but several Distinguished Service medals were granted. Maybe RAINMAN thought that "K Mart sucks," but the donators were observed to be numerous, sincere, and genuine. Ponder the query of how do you tell a K-Mart shopper from a Ukrop's shopper? PH will leave that answer to your imagination, but PH is certain you will only see a K-Mart shopper on Sunday.

On Saturday evening countless Shepsons gathered for a grand and glorious Christmas Social at the George and Carolyn Thomas home near the James River. The Thomas home is so spacious that we were able to roam around and engage in numerous conversations at ease. PH did a few wheelies and ended up in the master (probably a misnomer) bedroom and discovered a gas log fireplace in the bedroom. This is truly nice. Even the thought of it warms PH's genital lobe. We all offer a "Thank you" to George and Carolyn, to Ann Sledge for meal planning, and to all who brought various caloric contributions. Ann James played the piano for our carol singing. All in all we all had a merry time.

New Year's Eve Social Is Set for Tuesday, December 31

If you have nothing exciting to do on New Year's Eve, please come and join other Shepsons at PH and Brenda's house for a time of fun and games as we watch and celebrate the first minutes of 2003. The doors will be open at 9PM and not close for the evening until 2003 is definitely here. Tasty treats and various beverages will be provided from room to room. A few games will be under way and PH may plan on a challenging quiz game. Our four legged family members (Livie and Paddy) always enjoy this event because they get to clean up all the crumbs when it is all over. If enough interest is expressed, even Tonto (the tarantula) may make an appearance at the chosen hour. Tonto molted recently and he is a big arachnid. A sign up sheet will likely pass for this event.

Missionary Alert for January 2003 from Bill and Charlotte

Want to Fill
An Emergency Duffel Bag
For a Needy Child
The Shepherd - Simpson Bible Study Class will supply
All of the duffel bags and
Lists of all the sizes and items needed for
Children from infants through age 17
Every Sunday morning
In January in

The Shepherd - Simpson Bible Study Class room (otherwise known as the Elizabeth B. Wilson Multipurpose Municipal Auditorium). The duffel bags will be used by Henrico County Social Services caseworkers for children rescued from abusive or neglectful family situations.

For Information, call Charlotte and Bill Simpson at 285-3185

Another Alert from Bill and Charlotte

The ISH Duffel Bag Campaign does not begin until January, but -

We have received two wonderful contributions of like-new clothes which should enable us to almost completely fill 13 duffel bags -

1 each for girls 11-, 12-, 13-, 14-, 15-, 16-, and 17-years-old, and

1 each for boys 12-, 13-, 14-, 15-, 16-, and 17-years-old.

Four gifts of $20 or $25 would enable us to completely fill these bags.

If anyone who anticipates that they are not likely to have the time to shop for the last of the clothes and toiletry items needed for these bags, but would like to be a part of this effort, we would welcome gifts.

Charlotte and Bill

Will the Samaritan Woman Get to the Well This Sunday?

In PHA # 20, PH attempted to prepare the reader for the meaningful encounter between the Samaritan woman and Jesus in John, chapter 4. Teacher Bob did a little review and the water never was drawn. Thus, PH will make no predictions for this Sunday. PH is not even sure that Teacher Bob will get into chapter 4 this Sunday. In years past, Teacher Bob has done something special for Christmas. Who knows? Maybe we will do an instant replay of John's Prologue. Those of you in worship last Sunday should have felt well prepared as Pastor Jim delivered a brilliant sermon based on parts of John, chapter 1. The Word was proclaimed.

Prayer Rounds

Keep in your prayers Kathy Wade, Rick and Linda Mears, Terry Marsh's mother, Julian Pentecost, Pam Proffitt's two friends, and those in peril throughout this Body of Christ. Also during this season of the year remember in your prayers all of those who might be counted as the least among us.

Do People Really Get More Depressed at Christmas?

Every December there are usually TV news spots in which some mention is made about the increased incidence of depression during the Christmas holidays. PH had never really observed this phenomenon in his practice. About a decade ago PH did a little research on this impression. Statistics from the State Health Department indicated that the suicide rate in December is no different from any other month except February, which has fewer. Admissions to psychiatric facilities usually decrease in December and even those patients in psychiatric hospitals during the holidays get more attention. It is true that some folks feel more sadness during the holidays especially if they have lost family members during the preceding year or are separated from family. There is one malady that does increase at Christmas and that malady is alcohol abuse. So don't let the wine run out and that way there will be plenty of water for those who should abstain from the wine. Sorry, we finished chapter 2 some weeks ago, but PH still likes the story.

Doom and Gloom at the BOA

PH was in attendance at the Board of Administration meeting last Sunday. The numbers people were forecasting that RRCB could end 2002 with a deficit. Possible solutions included cutting the remaining payments in the Missions portion of the 2002 budget. You should be able to read more details in the Spire. PH feels that the members of this church will rise to the occasion when the membership is fully aware of a problem. PH wonders: if we cut the missions budget, are we any better than the rich young ruler? (Luke 18:22-25). The SSBSC members hopefully will respond to this situation along with the larger membership of RRCB.

Two Birthdays and an Anniversary at Christmas Time

Ellie Cox will turn 29 years old on Christmas Eve and Betty Damon will reach the same age on December 26. Would you believe that a mathematician and a schoolteacher would marry on the day after Christmas? Was this planned? Is there an objective witness? The date was December 26, 1959. On that date Judy and Dick Morris married. Any witnesses to this event may report to PH by E-mail, postal mail, telephone, and in person.

Julia's Tuesday Night Club Will Resume in 2003

Julia's Tuesday Night Club will recess for the remainder of 2002 and resume meeting on Tuesday, January 7, 2003. This club has had a steady and consistent attendance, but new participants are always welcome. The club meets at the Shoney's at Skipwith and Broad on almost every Tuesday evening at 6 PM. Parking is free.

A Word of Thanks to the SSBSC from Poor Henry

As this year is drawing to a close, PH feels blessed and extremely privileged to be a member of this Sunday School class. PH identifies with many of the folks that Jesus encountered in his ministry. Perhaps you do too. The feelings, thoughts and actions of this class have truly caused PH to feel included and have exemplified the challenge of "What would Jesus do?" We will soon be studying the encounter between Jesus and the Samaritan woman who had married multiple times. Jesus levels the cultural boundaries and taboos in a lengthy conversation with this insignificant woman. Near the end of the conversation, the woman said, "I know that the Messiah will come, and when he comes he will tell us everything." Jesus answered, "I am he. I am talking with you." If the Messiah, the Word Incarnate, can talk and reveal himself to this woman, then he can talk and reveal himself to you and to PH. At an early age PH learned what it means to feel excluded. This exclusion was for physical reasons beyond PH's control. Fifty-two years ago PH began dealing with vulnerability that is unknown to most in their youth. PH has met Jesus in so many people: from Harry Lanzillotti who carried PH's books in the sixth and seventh grades, to the Rev. Terry Welborn who treated PH as an equal in high school, to Biology professor Dr. Keith Stevens who convinced PH that medical school was possible, to Brenda who has saved, supported and sustained PH's life as well as to love PH, to countless patients who have had trust in PH, to the shared experiences of other polio survivors and to this class. What has this class done to include PH? The list is exhaustive and may seem ordinary to you, but not to PH.

When PH joined the SSBSC in September 1993, PH was added as a substitute teacher. When three steps became a barrier for PH to get to the classroom under the chapel, Doug Cruickshanks was a leader in getting a ramp built to make the area under the chapel accessible. When PH had more difficulty getting out of an armless chair, then Shepson George Davis and Bill Simpson helped find an armed chair. Maybe it is purely coincidental, but our new classroom has a ramp entrance directly opposite the handicapped parking area. Miller Alvis is there almost every Sunday to open that door as Brenda and PH gratefully enter. This year has been an unexpected meeting at the well several times. Despite a greater dependence on technology, PH has been a full member of the class because the Word of the class has been to do what Jesus would have done. Jesus was a carpenter and PH thinks that He would have built a lot of ramps. George Thomas built a ramp that made it possible for PH to enjoy three socials in a year's time. Several members made it possible for PH to experience the EBWNNLPL (the Elizabeth B. Wilson Northern Neck Land of Pleasant Living) for the first time. On March 10, you all secretly planned and executed "Henry, Henry, He's Our Guy" (Lucius 12:7)." You have tolerated PH's humor, perceptions about some movies, wheels, vents, batteries, alarms and the addition of Poor Henry's Almanac.

Fifty-two years ago schools were barrier rich. There was no way for any one to be or feel included in that society unless one could climb steps. PH went to a three-story elementary school, three-story junior high school, three-story high school, a two hundred year old college built on a hill where most of the buildings were three stories, and a one hundred twenty-five year old medical school built on a hill. None of these schools even had an elevator except the medical school and there was a paucity of elevators even there. PH's one good leg climbed a lot of steps. Now, in PH's senior years a lot has changed and more folks previously excluded can now feel included. The segregation of the handicapped is diminishing. These old buildings of PH's past are barrier free. The eighteenth century style architecture of River Road Church is now accessible. Paradoxically the only area of our church, which is inaccessible, is the chancel and the pulpit. What would Jesus say?

What are the words in one of the choruses of Handel's Messiah? "His yoke is easy and his burden is light" is in the Messiah and comes from Matthew 11:30. The entire message is: "Come to me, all of you who are tired from carrying heavy loads, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke and put it on you, and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble in spirit; and you will find rest. For the yoke I will give you is easy, and the load I will put on you is light." These words speak to the heart of what the SSBSC means to PH. You have done and continue to do what PH believes Jesus would have done. Thanks be to God for the Shepherd - Simpson Bible Study Class.

PH wishes a very Merry Christmas to all of you. For those who can download photos, attached is a photo of PH shortly after arriving home from the Christmas Social of last Saturday.

Poor Henry's Archives

All of the PHA's can be accessed at the PH archives.