Today (Friday) is one of those rare days when you get a “two for one” sale on What’s the Good Word? Today, Marion Smith will be honoured in Independence, Missouri for her retirement from World Church employment. Now, before anyone panics or misunderstands, let me emphasize that this is retirement from “World Church” employment. Technically that event happened some months ago, however Marion continues to work faithfully and diligently, but in the service of Canada East Mission. Hopefully that can continue for some time to come. And by the way, if there were any panicking to be done about this, you would need to get in line behind me!
While Marion continues to serve us all with her great resources of wisdom and knowledge, this occasion seems to be a good time to reflect on some possible understandings of this word, “retirement.”
There is an old story, possibly apocryphal, about Bishop G. Leslie DeLapp. DeLapp was Presiding Bishop of the church for many years and saw it through some very difficult times. When he retired, he was asked what he planned to do in his retirement. He is reported to have replied, “I plan to sit in the rocking chair on my front porch, and early in the morning of the second week, I plan to start rocking gently!” The Bishop had surely earned his rest.
An epilogue to that story came some years later when this anecdote was repeated to retiring Presiding Evangelist Roy Cheville. When asked if he planned to do the same, Cheville is reported to have responded scornfully, “I’m going to kick the thing to pieces!”
Not long after his retirement, Doc Cheville was a weekend guest minister at a congregation where I happened to be pastor. He told me personally that his definition of retirement was to “put on new tires and keep on going!” He was true to his word. When I drove him to Toronto airport at the conclusion of that weekend, he was on his way to Japan. Clearly there was no rocking chair in his future!
Whatever your definition of retirement, it is only appropriate to end this post as it began, in tribute to our beloved Marion. Well done, oh good and faithful servant! Thank you! We appreciate all you do.
While Marion may be slightly surprised and embarrassed to be featured on ‘the front side’ of this page instead of behind the pen, I’m sure she would be delighted to hear from you. Why not send her a thank you by clicking on the “Read or Post Comments” box now?
Posted by Carman
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1 day ago
May I be one of the first to say thank you for your continued leadership and encouragement. I can always count on you to have something for me to read for my further education, and I know I can always count on your quiet but intent listening at every meeting, followed by advice or appreciation.
ReplyDeleteThank you.
Hi Marion! We've only had a couple of brief face to face conversations (in the Auditorium), so I have mostly received ministry from what you write. I know that comes from your heart and insightful mind. Thank you much for your service before, and am glad we will continue to be blessed now that you have shifted gears.
ReplyDeleteStacie Wittenmyer, from Ohio and cyberspace.
Thank you people! It was lovely to see so many folks at the service and reception yesterday. Also good to hear from friends who are sending messages (thnx Mel & Stacie).
ReplyDeleteWe're about to set out for the first official day of Conference, so watch What's the Good Word for regular updates or impressions from me or from Carman.
Be sure to check for the live webcasts or on-line updates of the latest news from 2010 World Conference :-)
Congratulations! Good to know you are part of the Cheville school of retirement! - and so proud of you, sis! Looking forward to seeing photos and anecdotes from the service and reception. I'll be watching online as much as I can. Have a wonderful week with your immediate family and your world family.
ReplyDelete