8-21-06

In addition to it being Jessi Benton Jones' birthday, I am home from my stealth trip to Palm Springs.

It was a well-kept secret that I went to Palm Springs this weekend to surprise Rev. Michael Kearney on his first day as the new Senior Minister of the Palm Springs Spiritual Enrichment Center! Over a month ago, I planned this trip and swore a few key people to secrecy. I was grateful that our Board of Trustees moved our monthy board meeting so that I could support my colleague and our (former) Staff Minister. It was also a wonderful opportunity to have Rev. Sylvia Albright speak at Pacific CRS in my absence--and I am eager to hear her talk on CD.

Following a significant Board of Trustees retreat, headed down to PS on Sunday morning. Arriving early enough that I could dash into the ladies room and hang out till Rev. Michael began service and I could sneak in during one of the congregational songs.

Now the key factor to this surprise was that I arrived incognito--wearing a raincoat, hat and sunglasses--in August--in Palm Springs--in 115 degrees weather! (And of course, my killer purple high heels that I bought to honor Rev. Matt!) Now only those who are long-time members of PCRS will understand the significance of my costume (and I shan't go into the history and details now) but suffice to say that when the "meet and greet"portion of Rev. Michael's service began, i went up towards the pulpit wildly waving to get his attention. No doubt that initially, Rev. Michael may have been trying to avoid this strange apparation moving towards him until the dim recognition begin to take place and he realized who it was. To say I surprised him was putting it mildly. Fahklempt (spelling?) is barely describing it. It was an amazing time for us both and we hugged in tearful great joy.

Then I was asked by their Board President, Bill Wheeler, if I would "give the bride away" and introduce Rev. Michael. I was honored. Not having anything prepared to say, I knew that most of the congregation there knew who I was because of my several visits for Rev. Matt. I proudly stood as the bridge between my two beloveds and was priviileged to introduce to them for the first time, their new Senior Minister. Suffice to say, that I had to sneak out to the ladies room again to gain my composure during the meditaiton so that I could be fully present for the rest of the service.

And Pacific Church had arranged for the most beautiful plant arrangement to be there for the pulpit and our message made Rev. Michael tear up when he read it. Such poignance. And it was made all the sweeter in that Rev. Matt's partner of 11 years was there in support as well.

What a day.

Oh and it was 106 degrees that evening when we got back from dinner.