his Latin mantra: Non Solus Sum – I am not alone.
2. Listening to the Rev. Tom Kline giving sermons in the Cathedral. What
a treat! His simple expositions of Bible stories I had known and loved was
always uplifting and their effect profound. I liked going to church to hear a
good, clear message that spoke of the Love the Lord had for His Creation, His
people. I wanted to preach like that!
3. The Rev. Don Rose. There is not enough time for me to share all my early
interactions with this dear, sweet man. He was my mentor and teacher. I once
asked Don: “If you had one thing to say to a new minister, what would that
be?” He replied: “Love people!” For years after I graduated from Theological
School Don would write me periodic letters, sharing words of encouragement,
enthusiasm for something he was doing, or how the Truths of the New Church
were impacting something in the world. After more than two decades of
service in ministry I have come to see the wisdom of Don’s simple message
to me all those years ago. For people will seldom remember what you said to
them or what you taught them. They will remember how you made them feel!
After ordination Mark found himself divorced and says: “This would have
a profound impact on me and in some ways, still does. I was assigned to be
the assistant to the Rev. Kurt Horigan Asplundh, Pastor of the Bryn Athyn
Church. I had the privilege of teaching the children in the Bryn Athyn Church
Elementary School. I believe those ‘kids’ saved my life. They filled me with joy.
“I rebelled a bit, got a black leather jacket and a motorbike. I spent
many wonderful weekends helping the Rev. Bob Jungé build the Ivyland
New Church. In fact, if you walk into the Ivyland Church and look up at the
main beam above the door – and look carefully – you will notice one bolt
missing. That was my doing. At the end of a long day, having to drill from both
ends to line up for the bolt to pass through, I just could not line up the holes, )ͼ