originally published in the Trinity Episcopal Church’s e-newsletter, Summer 2009. Photo from Julie Seidler, happiness at the pulled pork feast prepared by Trinity.
The Day It Rained
by Krista Baker, Senior Warden
On Tuesday, May 26 it rained. The day began with a call from (Rector) Wallace. He tried to sound calm. The Waters of Hope bicyclists were coming to Kirksville, and he was concerned we would not have enough food. It rained. We prepared plenty of food. It rained.
Tuesday ended very late with Tim trying to spell “pimiento” cheese. He was patiently labeling sandwich bags for me as we prepared lunches for the next day. In between that first phone call and that last sandwich, I had a wonderful day full of great memory making moments. I am not sure I raised a dime for clean water in the Diocese of Lui, but I laughed, I cussed, I got wet, I shared hugs, I prayed, and I was touched by many of you and by many of the WOH riders. I thought about the riders. I wondered if Paul would be first in line at every meal, if Adam would find vegetarian food at each stop, if Anneʼs foot would heal, if Kris ate as much as I thought he did, how Joe Chamber’s new baby Molly was, if Mitch’s bike was okay, if their support team kept them all fed. Did Christine get the recipe from Laura for the bean salad? Oh so many thoughts. I was so grateful to have had the opportunity to be with them, if only for a few minutes. They each had their own stories: why they ride, where they are in their own lives and in own their own faith journey.
Then I thought about the time I spent with some of my fellow parishioners at Trinity. Did you know Pat Gately is the ultimate dish washer? that you can push Dianeʼs button if you ask her again where the orange juice is? that four women can make a short table tall? that Wallace will leave the room when ladies raise their voices? that Jared is very handy in the kitchen? that food does seem to appear out of nowhere? that Cynthia makes a killer pineapple upside down cake as well as does everything asked of her on a minuteʼs notice? that Ian knows exactly what kind of beer bike riders like to drink? that Jessie can core apples at 6:30 in the morning like a professional?
After the riders left, I thought about them a lot. I wondered where they were and how they were. I checked Twitter, Facebook and the Diocese web site endlessly for news and pictures. I became slightly obsessed with their progress and well being, like a mother looking after a group of children. Of course I had to go see them arrive at the Cathedral on that final Sunday. When Tim and I saw them all come down the street in front of the Cathedral in the brilliant sunshine with the bells chiming above, it was magical. Celebrating the Eucharist with them was a fitting finale. This Waters of Hope thing is special. You can still catch the spirit. Check out the pictures on the Diocese web page. Donate online at http://www.diocesemo.org/donateonline/ o r drop a check for Waters of Hope in the offertory plate. Maybe we can make a difference in the lives of someone in the Diocese of Lui. Clean water really is a basic human right. Funny about all that rain…all that water…
Our Waters of Hope Memories
I was struck by the camaraderie among those hosting the event and remembering that our Bishop says, “the missioner is changed by doing mission.” When we pass up opportunities to join together for the sake of mission, we pass up opportunity for transformation.
-Carrol Davenport
My most vivid memory is the way everyone gave of themselves to our guests so gladly. Also, it was a thrill to watch the first group of cyclists make the turn onto Mulanix, and to welcome them to Trinity, knowing all was well prepared for them.
-Wallace
Kristaʼs countless hours of preparation, last minute “details” (like press releases and lunch!), and being grateful for all who came together to help.
-Nancy Miller
My favorite memory is of Phil and Donnie on their “two-seater” bike, waiting to leave with the second group of riders on Wednesday morning. They were talking to Mitch, who did a great job of making them feel included. Donnie was so excited. I wish I would have had a camera.
-Pam Ryan
• The joy and happiness of ALL of the riders. The wide smiles. They were all in great spirits, in spite of the weather.
• Food. LOTS of food!
• Watching 28 lbs of pulled pork disappear before your very eyes.
• That ANYONE could eat FIVE, yes 5, heaped up barbeque sandwiches at one sitting.
• One of the riders filling his coffee cup half full of half-and-half and then topping it off with coffee.
• Worrying about the riders and praying that none of them got hit or injured while riding the Missouri backroads.
• Krista and I making piles of sandwiches for the ridersʼ lunches and labeling them.
• Orange juice, or lack thereof.
• Donnieʼs smile as he and his Dad rode off leading the way for the riders as they left Trinity.
• The vision and leadership of Joe Chambers and Mitch Smith.
• The pealing of the bells, the absolutely beautiful weather, and the triumphant arrival of the riders at the Cathedral in St. Louis.
• Bicycles in the nave of the Cathedral, and it seemed perfectly normal.
• Joe delivering the sermon in Spandex and stole.
-Tim Baker
It’s funny…I thought riding thirty miles with the Waters of Hope cyclists would be the challenging part of my participation, but I was wrong. It took a lot more work and many more hours to feed and house all those folks than it did for Julie and me to ride our puny thirty miles! In retrospect, we worked hard, but our efforts on and off our bikes were puny compared to what the twentysix cyclists did. And even their efforts were puny compared to the scope of the Waters of Hope project. But all the little punies (is that a word?) add up to big un-puny results.
Riding with the cyclists was great fun for the short time Julie and I were in their company. Even though they gallantly hung back with us for about 4 miles, they soon realized that when we urged them to go ahead, they needed to do just that if they were to reach Columbia before dark. As they cycled away into the distance, we slowed down and enjoyed a more leisurely ride in the country. We thank those who pledged dollars on our miles. Challenge us again – we just might do another thirty for Waters of Hope.
-Jessie Cragg
Blessing of the Bicycles
(offered the final day of the ride at the end of the Eucharist at Christ Church Cathedral, St. Louis)
Let us pray,
Present in a world groaning under the excesses of consumption we acknowledge the inherent goodness of non-motorized human powered transportation and give thanks for the simple beauty of the bicycle. God of life, Hear our prayer.
Present in a community filled with children we pray for those learning to ride. Keep them smart, safe and visible on their neighborhood roads. God of life, Hear our prayer.
Present in a community filled with strife we pray for the victims of road rage, and bike theft. And we ask for the strength to forgive mean people. God of life, Hear our prayer.
Present in a world of work we pray for those who build, repair and clean our bikes and those who rely on bicycles to earn their living. Bless those who choose to not drive to work and those for whom driving isnʼt even an option. God of life, Hear our prayer.
Present in a community of beautiful diversity we ask your protection and blessing on all who ride; weekend warriors, athletes, homeless folks, students, children, eco-warriors, bike co-op anarchists, messengers and all the others who take to our streets, bike paths, and parks. Keep us safe as we ride. God of life, Hear our prayer.
- Trinity-Kirksville Trinity Episcopal Church, 124 N. Mulanix, Kirksville, MO 63501, ph 660-665-6155, www.trinitykirksville.org
Tags: Lui, Mission, Sudan, Waters of Hope
