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Our Vestry was holding their retreat this weekend as well. Before we loaded up the cars in the church parking lot Saturday morning, the Vestry came out and Bishop Keith Whitmore sent us off with a nice prayer.
left, we gathered and Liv shared the prayer of St. Francis of Assisi, the one that starts with, "Lord, make me an instrument of your peace."
Later that afternoon, we checked in to the Windsor Hotel in Americus and, after dinner, attended a vaudeville show at the Rylander Theater. Lucy especially enjoyed the show! Ask her about it the next time you see her.
Sunday morning, we prepared for the main purpose for the trip, hearing President Carter teach Sunday School. After a short drive to Plains, we arrived at Maranatha Baptist Church, where we were greeted by a Military Police bomb-sniffing dog. Luckily, we passed inspection and were able to park.
It was cool Sunday morning, so it was good that we didn't have to stand outside in line too long. After emptying our pockets and getting wanded (passed that inspection, too, whew!), we entered the church and got seats in the fifth pew in the center section. While waiting for Sunday School to begin, we were coached by Ms. Jan Williams, church member and retired schoolteacher, on how to act during our time with President Carter. Her opening remarks were, "I can be your best friend, or I can be your worst enemy." I am deeply appreciative of the church, which typically has 20-30 members in attendance, but several hundred visitors on a regular basis when Mr. Carter teaches Sunday School.
and we heard his thoughts on the formation of the United Nations, which has as one of its primary purposes, the promotion and encouragement of respect for human rights. He had many other thoughts to share, and we are planning to get a DVD recording of the class, if you're interested in hearing what more he had to say that day.
Following Sunday School, President and Mrs. Carter sat as part of the congregation for the regular Sunday Service, During the announcements, the head deacon welcomed the visitors, and invited us to come and enjoy a Magic Show for the children this Friday. Mr. Carter pointed out that it was one of the Secret Service agents who would be performing the magic, and Mrs. Carter also added that pizza would be served. It was very nice to see them as members of the church and how they were just regular people.
At the conclusion of the church service, we all lined up inside the church for pictures, as it was sprinkling outside. The Carters were very gracious as they posed with the various families and groups. There is a protocol for this as well, since there were so many people who wanted to have their pictures taken. All went well, and we were soon back in the parking lot getting back into our cars.
After a quick lunch at a Mimmie's Diner just down the street from the church, we spent some time visiting the Jimmy Carter Boyhood Farm. Because of the severe weather we had a few weeks ago, the pipes in the house where he grew up had burst, and the house was closed for repair.
It had been a full weekend, and we made our way back to Atlanta. I came away with some great memories, and I hope our youth did as well.
Visit our Facebook page to see more pictures of our trip.
