St. Arbucks Chapel – February 26, 2025
I have several things for you this week.
First, a shout-out to Dr. Jerry Smartt of Friends University. Dr. Smartt was selected by the Student Athlete Leadership Team as “Faculty Member of the Month.” The award was based on her caring spirit for athletes and students. Congratulations, Dr. Smartt!
Secondly, several of you asked what happened to the fruit of the vine this past Sunday. This gives me an opportunity to share that we use the unfermented fruit of the vine in sensitivity to those who are in recovery. As of this past Sunday, we will now use sugar-free grape juice. Even though the amount of juice consumed is minimal it is another way for us to be sensitive to those who have blood sugar issues, such as myself.
Thirdly, I watched the memorial service of Kia Duggins, the Civil Rights attorney, who died in the American Airlines crash on January 29, 2025. The service was held at the WSU Hughes Center at 29th and Oliver. It was an incredibly moving service emotionally and spiritually for a number of reasons. I want to share a few things that I wrote down that were attributed to Kia by her friends, mentors and family. I do not want to forget these quotes as we honor Kia’s amazingly gifted and talented life:
Every day, ask the question, “What magical moment did you experience today?”- Are you committed to making this world a better place? Are you experiencing and sharing the gift of joy?
- There is no good time to schedule fun, so you must make time for it!
- What is your love language? (Based on the 5 Love Languages) If Kia asked someone who didn’t know their love language, she would study them and quickly discover how to love them well. i.e., One of her fellow Harvard Law School students did not have an answer. Within a few days, Kia provided this new friend with Peanut M and M’s and said, “I found out you like Peanut M and M’s and thought you needed a snack you enjoy as you study.” Kia was very intentional in loving people well. We can all learn from Kia’s example.
- Kia was “Sunshine personified. She didn’t have length of life, but she certainly had breadth of life!” What a great compliment from her boyfriend, Adrian Ma, who was interviewed on NPR recently.
Finally, Ash Wednesday, March 5th, the beginning of Lent, the 40 days of preparation minus Sundays, is an essential and reflective day. I hope you will make it a priority to attend the service at 12:15 or the service at 6 p.m. We are reminded daily that life is fragile, and we are mortal beings. The Benedictines have a tradition of leaving a grave open, and historically, the monks would walk by the empty grave every day to….” Remember you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” Lent is a time for us to self-reflect, knowing the Holy Spirit will convict us but never condemn us. If you do not believe me, read Zephaniah 3:17 and John 3:17. I call these verses the bookends of the Gospel – the Good News!