Residents@JV

Memorial Baptist Church Picnic

Sunday, October 07, 2007, was a feel-good-looking day to be outside; a comfortable temperature, a slight breeze, and a few clouds in the sky were the makings for a lovely day. Mike and Wanda, as usual, were picked up and transported to the St. Agnes Catholic Church for their early services. Donna Kay, Debbie, Michael, and Scott were transported to their favorite Sunday School Classes and Morning Worship Services at WestWood General Baptist Church by Home-Coordinators Gloria and Joe. All returned back to Jacob’s Village feeling good and ready for the day. A light lunch was prepared for the residents while they anxiously awaited a bountiful selection of picnic goodies that were not far off. Rev. Paul Wellinghoff and the congregation from the Memorial Baptist Church had made arrangements to provide an afternoon picnic for the residents of Jacob’s Village. Shortly before 4:00pm, several of the Church’s members started arriving, some into the parking lot out front and some pulled on around to the carport in between the homes. Scott greeted the guests that had pulled into the parking lot and showed them into the Business Office. The Memorial Baptist Church members continued arriving in cars and the Business Office House was the centralized gathering spot for the guests. As a Church, this was their first introduction to Jacob’s Village; although, Rev. Paul Wellinghoff had visited with Scott on a couple of occasions before hand to set a date for this activity. Rev. Paul had led a Baptist Church in New Harmony for a few years and Scott had met him and his wife Laura and his children Elizabeth and Joshua. Rev. Paul married Scott’s nephew Joshua Harris and Suzanne Stewart back a few years before. There were twenty or more members from the Memorial Baptist Church participating in the picnic for Jacob’s Village. The introductions, newsletter sign-ups, and handing out of Jacob’s Village literature were all taken care of and the strategy for the picnic was all decided upon inside the office. With everyone on the same page of knowing what to do, the dishes of the pitch-in food were placed on the counter space. The filling of the plates would be inside while the dining would take place out around the gazebo in the courtyard. The grill was fired up for burgers and hotdogs while drinks were being prepared. Rev. Paul had everyone join in with him as he blessed the evening and a good time of fellowship was enjoyed by all. New friendships were being formed, and delicious dishes of food were consumed. After the picnic trash was all cleaned up, Dennis Gibson, the Music Director at Memorial Baptist with a portable electric keyboard, led everyone in a few old time Gospel songs. The sun was sinking lower and with darkness rapidly approaching, everyone walked and rolled out to the yet to be completed, Jacob’s Village Nature Trail Walk and Meditation Area. Everyone gathered around a bench overlooking a bird bath and flowerbed, while Rev. Paul Wellinghoff Christened and Blessed the Nature Trail with an Evening Prayer Service. A Big Heart Thank You is sent out from the residents of Jacob's Village to the Memorial Baptist Church for spending an evening with them.

posted by J V Resident Blog @ 11:50 AM