I mentioned last week that I was able to enjoy a couple weeks of vacation time following the close of General Convention in Louisville, KY. I flew North to Rochester, NY where Patricia joined me. We spent our time on Sodus Bay, which is a small body of water off of Lake Ontario, one of the Great Lakes.
We had a lot of fun, and spent our time hiking, being out on the water, and enjoying the company of family (including my parents and Alley and David-my older two children). We also played a lot of card games. The whole family enjoys a rousing game of “Five Crowns.” Interesting enough, I have discovered that my dear “Mother-in-God”, Shirley Gordon, is a masterful player of “Five Crowns.” Games played with her in Fairbanks prepared me for my many losses playing with my family in NY. I’ve also come to believe that one of Patricia’s favorite activities is beating me at Gin Rummy.
I am grateful to God for all that keeps me humble.
A highlight of this trip was riding a two-person pedal car on a stretch of abandoned railroad along Seneca Lake, one of the Finger Lakes in NY. The rail carts were a modern design that looked and operated much like a recumbent bicycle only designed for two side-by-side passengers and with 4 urethane coated rail wheels. It was a delightful day with stunning views. And after the ride, we got duck egg ice cream! Wow, you haven’t had ice cream until you’ve had ice cream made with duck eggs.
I also had plenty of hammock time to relax and read something other than Convention Resolutions and reports. I am often asked what I like to read for fun. Frankly, my tastes are eclectic. I have come to really appreciate Patricia’s suggestions and enjoy that we now have a common library on our Kindle account. For fun, I’ve come to enjoy a series of books by C.J. Sansom: The Matthew Shardlake Mysteries. The action is set in Tudor England where the “hero,” Matthew Shardlake, a lawyer, finds himself involved in solving murders in the midst of the tumultuous period of the English Reformation. It is great historical fiction and fun. Archbishop Thomas Cranmer himself was a prominent character in the story I read this time: “Revelation” (spoiler alert: he wasn’t a suspect in the crime).
I also read “Short Sketches from Oldest America,” by John Driggs. Driggs was a medical doctor and, eventually, an Episcopal Deacon in the Episcopal Church. He came to Pt. Hope at the very end of the 19th century (1890) and served there into the early 20th century. While I have certainly been aware of the history of John Driggs at Pt. Hope, most of it remembered in a positive light, my interest was rekindled earlier this spring when I encountered a brass plaque at St. Thomas’ church in Pt. Hope. The plaque acknowledges the gift of a credence table given to St. Thomas by the Woman’s (sic) Auxiliary of the Diocese of Delaware (Driggs’ home diocese). The plaque reads: “Rev John B Driggs First Missionary to Point Hope. WHO LED THE PAGAN ESQUIMOS FROM DARKNESS INTO THE LIGHT AND GLORY OF THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST.” (See Pictures below)
I asked the folks of St. Thomas what they thought of this plaque. As expected, most found it awkward.
Thinking that this might be an opportunity for some reconciliation and healing, I asked if I might be permitted to remove the plaque and return it to my colleague, Bp. Kevin Brown, the bishop of the Diocese of Delaware, to see if they might be interested in establishing or
re-establishing a relationship with St. Thomas, and replacing the plaque with something reworded that honors John Driggs while at the same time celebrates the mutual faith and love of the Gospel shared by Pt. Hope and the Diocese of Delaware.
I took the plaque to General Convention and presented it to Bishop Brown. I made clear that the goal was not to shame or blame the Diocese of Delaware or the Woman’s Auxiliary of the early 20th century; but offer a renewal of relationship not built on a missionary paradigm or mindset but on our common faith, hope, and life in Jesus Christ.
Bishop Brown’s first reaction was disbelief and regret. But he rejoiced at the opportunity to connect with Pt. Hope and to remake the plaque. He was not familiar with John Driggs or the historical connection between Delaware and Alaska. We agreed to make take this opportunity to teach, to grow and to seek better understanding and healing.
I will remain in contact with Bishop Brown and Pt. Hope and will look forward to a visit to Pt. Hope with Bishop Brown and, hopefully, others from Delaware for a re-presentation of a plaque to honor John Driggs and for celebrations of our life, our hope, our faith, our reconciliation and healing in the glorious light of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Good summer reading.
