Luke had an appointment in Meridian today. This was the first occasion I’ve had to go into the City of Meridian in twenty years. I’ve passed through on the Interstate and even stopped at the “new” Mall a few times. After we had finished with the appointment and lunch downtown, I set the GPS for Wesley House Community Center, which I knew was still there. I served Wesley United Methodist Church, which was across the street from Wesley House, from 1987-89. I knew Wesley UMC was closed several years ago, but I wanted to see how the building was being used. Well, the building is GONE. There is nothing on the lot where the building stood. No evidence a church building was ever there. The “new” sanctuary was constructed in the years following World War II. Members of the Greatest Generation, who had grown up as children of cotton mill workers, then gone off to defeat Hitler, were assessed “shares” of the cost of the building materials when they returned. The church members did the work themselves. By the time I arrived, most of the Greatest Generation members were retired, but vital 60 and early 70 somethings. They continued to lovingly care for the building and looked for new projects. Wesley was known as one of the most prolific “senders” of preachers into the former Mississippi Conference Rayford and Lavelle Woodrick and their brother-in-law, Rev. Cumberland, were just three of them. The Cumberlands raised another preacher and a preacher’s spouse. I came somewhat wounded from my first appointment, to a church that was addicted to fighting with each other and involving the pastor in their family system drama. These Greatest Generation folks “raised” another preacher who decided to stick with this ministry thing because of how well they loved me. They accepted the legitimacy of Lynette’s ministry, even when other churches and, to an extent, the District Leadership did not. Of course, “The Church is Not a Building. The Church is the people.” I carry those people with me and take this opportunity to bear witness to them. Jon Kaufman Debbie Woodrick Hall Sandra Rasberry