Villagersonline : blogs : rodhugen : Grand Rapids

From: rodhugen
Date: Fri Jun 11 16:44:19 MST 2004
Subject: Grand Rapids

Responses
rodhugen: Me, again. (6/13/04)

Suki: Feeling better yet? (6/14/04)

mike: Sounds intresting (6/15/04)

rodhugen: cont'd (6/17/04)

Responses (sorted by date)
rodhugen: cont'd (6/17/04)
mike: Sounds intresting (6/15/04)
Suki: Feeling better yet? (6/14/04)
rodhugen: Me, again. (6/13/04)

I'm in Grand Rapids Michigan. A long brutal travel day culminating in a wonderful dinner out with old friends. Old friends are fun. You just sort of pick up where you left off. Anyway, I'm alive and well and ready to go to work tomorrow morning. The denomination is wrestling with major issues and I get to be in the middle of the match for the next week.
I'll write more later,
Rod

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From: rodhugen
Date: Sun Jun 13 04:13:45 MST 2004
Subject: Me, again.

Yesterday was our first real day of work at Synod. I am on the Interchurch Relations committee and it was a fascinating and infomation filled time. The Christian Reformed Church is in dialogue with the Roman Catholic Church to see if what we say in our confessions is an accurate reflection of current Catholic doctrine. It has been interesting to see how much the church has changed and how it continually evolves. We are also talking about joining a group called "Christian Churches Together in the USA" which is in the formative stages and will encourage cross-denominational ministry. CCT-USA is divided into five families (Evangelical/Pentecostal, Historic Protestant, Racial/Ethnic, Orthodox,Roman Catholic)and you join a family and engage in prayer and ministry together. The groups does not divide along theological lines but only looks to build community through reaching consensus. If one person disagrees they have veto power. They can also 'stand aside' which means they disagree or won't participate, but they do not want to stop the process. It will be an interesting experiment.
I spent most of yesterday afternoon in the Urgent Care after hearing a popping sound in my neck and having a ton of pain shoot through my neck and radiate down my arm, my back, and even my face. The doctor called it a severe muscle pull and accused me of injuring myself by falling or doing unusual exercise and I assured him that all I did was turn my head. He gave me shots, pain pills, and muscle relaxants so the rest of the day is not all that memorable. But I was sure having fun!
This morning I preach at Discovery CRC and worship with my friends, Ken and Kathy. I look forward with a little trepidation, but it should be good.
I have internet access in my room, but have difficulty getting my e-mail for some reason. I get occasional pieces, but clearly not everything. I am technically incompetent so I just stare in confusion at the screen. On those rare occasions when an e-mail comes through, I cheer and clap. Do you think it could be the drugs?
Rod

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From: Suki
Date: Mon Jun 14 13:19:11 MST 2004
Subject: Feeling better yet?

I hope your neck is much improved. If not, I'd be happy to give you a karate chop of healing when you get back, in line with my former shoulder punch o' sisterly luuv.

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From: mike
Date: Mon Jun 14 17:25:43 MST 2004
Subject: Sounds intresting

Sounds like your trip in intresting and painfull. You are in my prayers.

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From: rodhugen
Date: Thu Jun 17 11:18:03 MST 2004
Subject: cont'd

I am feeling much better. Pain pills are wonderful things. The schedule is brutal 8:00am to 9:00pm. My internal clock is all screwed up and I struggle with a lot of sleepiness. We have made some wise and good decisions and I see again the joy of many heads. The church I grew up in was white and Dutch. The church I grew up in is now multi-colored and multi-ethnic. This has become a pretty place.
I snuck out last night for dinner with my uncle and aunt and we had a great time sharing and remembering. The committee I serve on had to have additional meetings beyond the schedule mentioned above so I am getting burned out and it was good to take some time for celebration.
My computer is being cantankerous so I'm writing this from a system in the college and so I'm not sure I'll be able to write a lot more. If I don't, I'll see you Sunday with lots of stories.
Rod

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