Contrasts of Life
“Ministry Musings,” a series about some humorous and serious stories in my life as a pastor.
This is a one-column departure from stories of my earlier ministry days. Today, I reflect on a halfcentury of contrasts.
I recently returned from the 50th class reunion of my seminary in St. Louis. Yes, I am that old. In 1971, I graduated from four years of post-graduate study to become a pastor.
Contrast No. 1. I saw some classmates I remembered, others I did not. Who are all these old people? How had they aged so badly, when I still felt and looked a lot younger?
Then I looked in the mirror. Yep! There was a stark contrast between the guy I was in that graduation picture 50 years ago, and the person I had become. Some growth and improvement. Too much growth around my middle. Some deterioration and lots more doctor appointments and medications. Can some of you relate?
Contrast No. 2. At the reunion banquet, we heard an acapella choir of seminarians sing some classical music and some familiar hymns. One selection was even in Latin, part of the classical heritage of that school. Very formal stuff.
The Sunday evening following my return home, I attended a concert by “Jefferson Starship,” a rock band of the 1970s and 80s. Talk about a contrast!
They were loud, really loud. They were accomplished, professional musicians who knew their art. Their music wasn’t the cacophonic dissonance of some groups, but it was hard to decipher the words over the pumped-up decibels.
Most of those in attendance were over 60. They remembered the 1980s, but were mostly fans of the 1950s and 60s version of rock and roll. Jefferson Starship kept trying to get the audience to clap, sing along, and “rock out” with them. Not everyone joined in.
Yes, life is full on contrasts. I’ll bet you could name a few.
To the 2nd Ward citizens of St. Marys, Ohio, A vote for Ashley Randolph is your best vote to represent the people of the 2nd Ward in St. Marys, Ohio.
Ashley has been very involved with the St. Marys community. She has served since 2015 on the City Zoning Board and the Civil Service commission.
She is a member of the St. Marys Area Resource Team (SMART) and was involved in helping our city become a Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area ( DORA).
Ashely has also taken on the responsibility as project manager to raise money for an All Abilities Park that will be located in the Mill Park area.
You can see that she is involved in many community activities and I think she would make an excellent choice for 2nd Ward City Council.
Also Ashley has been attending almost every meeting of city council Since February of 2021 showing that she has high interest in understanding City council and wanting to learn about it before she takes on the position. Just a note that the other two candidates running for this position have been to 1 maybe 2 city council meetings .
Vote for Ashley Randolph on Nov. 2.
— John Bubp