Ms. Wheelchair Washington

And provide for those who grieve in Zion – to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.
Isaiah 61:3-4

In 1993, a college girl was walking and tragically, was hit by a drunk driver. Her name is Sigrid Laegreid but this story is anything but a tragedy. Jackie and I had the chance to visit with her last week in recognition of her having just been crowned Ms. Wheelchair Washington. She is a delightful lady who just bursts into the room with joy spilling over on everyone. I had watched her interview on KOMO TV. As the news anchor and she were looking at a picture of her in college before the accident and she said, “Dang, I was cute in college!” She made Jackie and I laugh again and again as she told stories about how when she went to her parent’s homeland of Norway and was made to ride with the luggage area of the tour bus because she was in a wheel chair and the bus had no wheelchair access. Her every funny story made the point that there is an incredible part of our population whose disabilities put them in wheel chairs but they have so much to offer our community. Sigrid comes to Washington Cathedral on Saturday nights and is very interested in the project to put the zero entry pool in the recreation center. She told us that it has been a long time since she had been swimming and, “Do you know how much fun it is to be in a weightless environment for someone like me?” She mentioned that the elevator lifts for a pool are not the answer. She said, “I was stuck mid-air in one and I was wearing a bikini – do you know how embarrassing that can be?”

Since being crowned as Ms. Wheelchair Washington her dream is to talk to as many people in our community about the importance of workout facilities for those in wheel chairs. She says, “A parking spot is not enough; there needs to be something beyond that.” Sigrid has agreed to be the chairperson for the task force to raise the rest of the money for the zero entry pool. We need grant writers, communicators, letter writers, and people who know people who could afford to give a major gift to this indoor pool. So far we need a minimum of 320 thousand to complete the building of the pool. If we add some touches to make it truly sensational we could add another 250 thousand to that. Since we are under construction, time is short we need to get this thing going. We have received major miraculous anonymous gift to get us to this point so we still have the naming rights to the pool left. This community pool could be named after a corporation or an individual that would be a blessing for generations. Sigrid will be interviewed in all the services the weekend after Mothers Day and will be talking more about it. And she goes to Baltimore in July to compete for Ms. Wheelchair America. So let’s all be praying for her. She told Jackie and I that she may not win it all but she is planning on winning the evening gown contest! I have a feeling that Sigrid is going to make this challenge a joy filled adventure just as she has with her whole life!

The Glory of Easter

Death has been swallowed up in victory. Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?”
1 Corinthians 15:54b, 55

Our mission statement is to build a great caring network and everything we do is evaluated in some way by that mission. It is our way of saying that like Jesus we want to be servants to show the world what touched us about God – a love we could not resist.

Recently I heard someone asking about our concept of entertainment evangelism. For us Easter, or Christmas for that matter, is not a matter of entertainment but of service. Throughout the year we minister to so many people who are struggling with grief over the death of a loved one, and each time we try to communicate the Easter story. Sometimes it is on a cold day at a cemetery graveside service. It is difficult right after a death to really consider Easter. But there is something about springtime, especially about Easter and making our very best effort to tell the Easter story.

We have some gifted people involved in retelling the dramatic story. Most people don’t know it, but Pastor Naomi has quite a resume as an actress and a musician. She has starred in Hollywood movies with Terry Garr and Shirley MacLain, and in several musicals. Our special effects were designed by one of the directors of Northern Exposure. We also have other accomplished actors from local drama troops – The Glory of Easter pageant really is our very best effort in retelling the great story of Easter. And of course we combine it with worship, a short sermon, hymns and praise to put on an amazing Easter worship service. For us the benefit is just one grandchild, or widowed wife who has a light of faith and joy of Easter begin to glow in their eyes. A servant church meets needs in the community and the inspirational Glory of Easter Pageant definitely is a need – and we feel privileged to be a part of ministering to people at this all important holiday.

Your friend for the rest of my life,
Tim White