Thursday 24th October

Continuing on from Wednesday evening.   A group from Emmanuel have been studying a book written by an American Muslim, Eboo Patel who, together with President Obama, is very keen on interfaith relations, and who founded and runs the Interfaith Youth Core (that is how it is spelt, but I am sure it ought to be 'Corps') a movement active on college campuses.    I read the book but wasn't part of the discussion group.  Anyway, last night Eboo Patel was speaking at the Oklahoma City University and eight loyal followers from Emmanuel (or rather, seven loyal followers and me) piled into the church bus for a meal at an Indian buffet restaurant in the City, followed by his address.    It was a pleasant evening, I enjoyed the meal and fellowship but I didn't go to listen to a lecture on interfaith relations, I went along because I never pass up a chance of a trip out of Shawnee.   And there aren't any Indian restaurants in Shawnee, so that was a rare treat for me.

The dog next door has got a better shelter, its owner has been busy today putting solid sides and roof on it.   I still feel unbearably sad though, no dog should be tied up 24/7, I want it to be loved and living in a warm home.   Like Tarka.   And Bubbles.  

Back to today......I was out early picking up the donuts from Tecumseh.   The Kiwanis speaker was Kate, the Director of the Senior Centre, talking about the programmes and activities at the Centre.  When she was asked she spoke a bit about herself.  Her father was American and in the military, her mother was Canadian, from the same small town in the far north of Canada where my aunt settled.  When I asked Kate's mother where she came from they didn't think I could possibly have ever heard of it, and were very taken aback when I said I knew it,  I'd been there.

Kate.

I didn't go to Communion and out to lunch, I wish I had, but I went instead to the service at the hospital chapel.   I wondered if the other chaplains had been told yet about the appointment of the new head chaplain on November 4th.

Later in the afternoon I went to visit my friend Faye, who is in a nursing home, recovering from hip replacement surgery.  I might have mentioned this, but she is also sharing a room with a member from Emmanuel.