Celebrating Kat

This weekend the church is honoring Kat Hutchings for her 25 years of service as your church’s Administrative Assistant. Kat was introduced in the May 1, 1989 edition of the Monday Morning in “Ron’s Reflections.” It reads “Kathy comes to us from Richland College Library. You will like her! Come in and meet her. WELCOME, KATHY!” Ron also reported on the success of Centennial Week, and just below her introduction is a brief article on how “the present pew cushions have outlived their usefulness” and the upcoming congregational meeting to name a building committee.

 

Kat has seen many changes. She has served with two installed pastors and two interim pastors. There have been other faithful staff members and many volunteers. She began her work in the old building and had a temporary office in the education center before moving into the new building in 1994. She began her work on typewriters and now has strong computer and internet skills. She has dealt with no telling how many copiers and printers over the years.

 

And then there are all the people. Not just the members of the congregation, though that has been significant. Kat also is connected with other churches and the community. She has a network of people within and without the church who have been touched by her caring and determined spirit.

And that is worth celebrating. It’s not just the years of dedicated and exemplary service. It’s the spirit in which Kat has served. Her work as the church’s AA has been a means of grace, whereby she has shown the fruits of the Spirit of God: patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self control. Oh, and also love, joy and peace! Yes, Kat has seen many changes, but perhaps the most significant is how she has gifted us with her presence so that we may all change, growing in love for God and for each other.

 

So yes, Ron Holloman, you were right when you wrote 25 years ago that we will like her. And not only do we like her, we love her. Thanks to Kat and to her family as well. And if you cannot attend, I encourage you to write her a note, blessing her with words of support and love.

 

25 years later, David

When Mom Is On Retreat

Recently Laura went to Camp Gilmont for the Women’s Retreat. So I was at home with the kids for the weekend. No problem. As far as I remember, we all survived without mom at home. The girls and I got Sam to a trombone ensemble performance on Friday night. We ran errands on Saturday, and got some laundry done. Somehow I managed to make a meatloaf for Sunday’s Family Table and prep another one for us to eat on Sunday evening. We arrived at church on time, sat through both services without incident, and I think Sophia’s hair was brushed.

 

In one sense, I’m an old pro at this weekend daddy routine. Laura worked every Saturday and Sunday during most of our time in Iowa. That was hard. Hard on Laura and on us. And of course this was when Sophia was younger and needed more help to get ready.  So I remember Easter Sunday 2011 when Laura was at work. I was in high gear that day for sure. I had the girls in their new dresses. I not only brushed but curled their hair. We were at church in time to eat some pancakes before the Easter egg hunt and worship. The only thing that didn’t go so well is that afternoon I couldn’t get Sophia to sit still for a group picture in front of our tulips. This was the one specific request Laura made, and it didn’t happen. But by that point in the day, Sophia (almost 3 years old then) was deliriously tired and couldn’t focus on anything. I thought back to that morning when I let her eat an entire chocolate bunny for breakfast. Maybe that wasn’t such a good idea after all.

 

The situation with Laura working weekends wasn’t ideal. It wasn’t what we had in mind when we moved 900 miles away from extended family support. It didn’t last forever, though at times it seemed like it would. We made it, and got pretty good at taking care of our chores and each other. We even created some good memories. So when Laura heads off for a weekend retreat, I pause and remember with gratitude the times when life was harder than I wanted it to be. Every experience has something to teach us, a wise man once told me. But that doesn’t stop me from smiling when I hear Laura steer her van back up the driveway.

  

-- David