Dear friends and members of University UMC:
I’ve been reading a lot about Dolly Parton this week and revisiting some of her songs. I bet you have, too. I still have every word to “Islands in the Stream” memorized. The song came out when I was 10 years old, and I remember singing with my friends into our “microphones” (otherwise known as hairbrushes). I see you, Generation X!
Years ago, one of my good friends from seminary welcomed the birth of her son. “We are receiving a book every year on his birthday until he reaches the age of 5”, she said. This friend lives in Nashville, and as you can guess, the books are part of Dolly’s Imagination Library. Whether or not you are a fan of her music, we can agree she was one of the most generous people on the planet.
Today I’m sharing a few of my favorite things from this week as we remember Dolly.
My friend and colleague Jay Cooper is pastor of Violet Crown UMC. He and the church are known for painting a large Adirondack chair in response to daily news. Their response is quick, creative, and often prophetic. KUT did a story recently, and I included it in last week’s note. (Here it is, if you missed it!)
And here’s this week’s chair paying tribute to the one and only Dolly Parton.
