Dispatch #11
Sunday, September 1
Chetek, Wisconsin

Last night developed into a wondrous rally. Our largest gathering yet, people driving from great distances, more clergy than I have ever seen before (causing in me a deep sense of humility, for who am I to draw such servants of Christ?)

Although we did not travel from one place to another, I cycled some 47 miles in the day, shooting south for my own pleasure, and then again north to the point where I met as many as twenty other bikers, some profoundly professional with equipment I can only admire, others pulling their children in carts behind them, and then kids, teenagers, parents. A grandfather pedaled a bicycle built for two with his granddaughter. Three generations of one family ground forward with us.

And Bishop Bob Berg met us twice. (Can I communicate how grateful I am when our chosen leaders take a level not higher than ours but acknowledge the sweet union all servants of Jesus hold together?)

Because our weather man indicated that we would have two fronts of violent weather today, we (my staff and I) decided to take our first break for a day, here on the farm where our vehicles are perfectly leveled and easy in the sun.

In the sun, I say, because not the first drop of rain has fallen. I hope this signals no ill wind for tomorrow, since tomorrow I shall surely cycle south to Hudson, and Oh, I do not want to trip through the rain again!

+ + +

Bishop Robert Berg of the Northwest Synod of Wisconsin told me a gentle story.

Although he was the authority first to argue for the broadcast of Lutheran Vespers on the radio station out of Rice Lake, he was not, he said, the original nudge.

An elderly gentleman named Norval Ellifson came to him when Bob was Pastor in Chetek, saying, "Why don't we broadcast Lutheran Vespers on any radio station around here? We should." he said. This was in 1993. Persuaded by the spirit of a solemn and common man, Bob Berg initiated the process for getting this program here, in this area.

But the woman who has accepted responsibility for gathering the money that pays for LV's broadcast on WJMC out of Rice Lake--bright Arlene Hoveland, whom I met last night, woman of the shining white hair--told the Bishop that the first person to pay for the program in this area was the committed Mr. Ellifson.

Two years after his persuasion and his gift, he passed away. But his wish continues, and the conference called "The Heart of the North" continues to support this mission.

Oh, my, what friends I meet on this journey! What wondrous relatives, kin I have never met before, but whom I have known forever.

You are my grandparents, my parents, my sisters and my brothers, and how I soften to you as I travel. And it is the Spirit of Jesus that blows us one, that weaves us one together.

Walt