More of the Memphis Experience

While I was in Memphis this past weekend, it was a real treat to experience some of the community, "co-ops", and people at First Congo.

I had a friend who had spent a few nights at the hostel there...the Pilgrim House...and recommended it highly to me. And whenever I travel, I like to find a way to connect with some local culture, food, people, and worship experiences.


The hostel was great. For just $15/night plus a little 10-minute chore...the accommodations were quite comfortable. They had wi-fi, a nice kitchen & dining area, a reading room, and helpful information about what to do while in Memphis.

One of the first people I met was this guy...


...John Harkless.


John has an incredible story and has now lived at and worked for the church for the past couple of years.


First Congo is affiliated with the United Church of Christ and has completely opened their arms to the community...especially those in the G&L community, AIDS/HIV-infected individuals, impoverished, and basically anyone looking for a place to explore faith and experience grace.

Now I know many of you squirm at the thought of being that OPEN to various lifestyles, beliefs, and these diverse expressions of Christian community...but consider for just one moment that there is One God and Judge to whom people are going to eventually answer...and you're not Him! (or Her!) ;-)

The church was full of unique artistic elements which added to the worship experience and gave you a sense of the community's personality.

In the middle of the open half of the sanctuary...centered in the beautiful wood floor was this hand-made baptismal font/bowl...very impressive.



Among the various co-ops and organizations which were home to First Congo was this very creative bicycle co-op...Revolutions. In the lower level of the educational wing, they had a bike shop established which would train interested volunteers from the community for basic repair and maintenance. Then the co-op would refurbish bikes to give away...especially to elementary-age children at a nearby school. This just seemed like such a cool community effort and service which had been having tremendous impact in the neighborhood as well as commanding some national attention.

Just a few words about the worship experience. It was what I would call an emerging sort of liturgical gathering. With about 300-400 people, we sang...read scripture...engaged in a fun children's sermon...listened to a great choral rendition of "O Happy Day" (one of my favorite gospel hymns)...and received a very well-prepared and articulate teaching encouraging us to live an Easter life in a Good Friday world. I walked away from this gathering and overall church experience a little more in love with our extravagantly loving and creative God.

The Off-road Triathlon in Memphis

My departure from Bolivar, PA on Friday morning was just about on time. I have been investigating a campus ministry organization called CCO and drove to this beautiful retreat center about an hour east of Pittsburgh Thursday morning.


After an important conversation/interview Friday morning, I had to exit the seminar prematurely to begin my triathlon journey.


So my hope was to arrive in Memphis, TN by about 11 pm. Fortunately, I gained an hour somewhere in KY and that gave me a little more margin.









My arrangements for housing were with
the Pilgrim House...a very cool hostel connected with First Congregational Church on S. Cooper Street in Memphis.

My alarm rudely awakened me from my cozy accommodations at about 7 AM. I need to get a bite of breakfast 2 hours ahead of the event start time...plus I still had to get some things together and put the bike back together from its wheel-less state. By about 8 AM I was properly nourished, packed, and ready to find Shelby Farms...the location for this off-road triathlon event on the east side of Memphis.

After a minor navigational issue, I found my destination and parked the car with a cool drizzle of rain falling. Once I checked in and got all my gear situated at the transition area, it was close to 9 AM. At about 9:30 AM, I slipped on the wetsuit (thanks Kevin!) and began to anticipate the frigid waters of Patriot Lake there on the park campus. We all got one of these attractive swim caps to put on (minus the logo--unfortunately) and then waded out in the lake until we were waist-deep in the 61 degree body of fresh water. The plan was to swim a circular loop around a couple of islands and then exit the water...run 200 yards to the starting point and then jump back in for a second lap. The most depressing part was that the guy in first place lapped me...before I could finish my first half-mile...he was done with the full mile!

As I was pulling into the park that morning, it suddenly occurred to me that I had forgotten my bike helmet. Since that would mean automatic disqualification, I began begging in the parking lot...hoping one of the other racers had an extra helmet for some reason. After asking about a dozen folks...I headed back to my car and another guy was just closing the gate to his truck and I thought I'd try one more time. He said "Yeah...not sure why, but for some reason I brought both my helmets today...you're welcome to it." Disaster averted! Thanks, Rich.

Prior to the bike stage, I had thought that this might be my strongest section of the race...wrong! For one thing, due to the rain...the track was very muddy and slick. Within 2 to 3 miles of riding...my legs were covered in mud from my knees to my toes (bad idea to wear my running shoes to ride!) Finally, though, I began to catch up to a few racers and make some progress. I only fell completely off the bike one time...nearly ramming a tree trunk with my head. After about 2.5 hours on the bike (can you say, chaffing?!) I made it back to the transition area ready to try out the legs.

As I started out on the final 6-mile run...I knew the legs were going to be pretty gooey from the ride. For the first 2 miles or so, I inserted a brief walk between each half mile. By the time I hit mile three, I had my legs back...the quads stopped cramping & locking up with each extension...and I was able to find a good pace somewhere around 9:30 per mile.

One interesting thing I'll share about the run is that I conducted a bit of sociological experiment. Perhaps one of the toughest mental challenges of such a physical test is that most people are in it alone. Unless you've brought a training buddy with you, the course can be a somewhat isolating and lonely environment. Half-way through the run, I knew that I needed something to help me finish the race well...I needed community.

(this is a random photo...not me or Matt)

Whenever I run with my trail-mate, Matt, in Milford...the running always seems to be more bearable. Since I couldn't magically summon Matt to Memphis, I decided to attempt some conversation with my fellow triathletes. The first two runners I spoke to didn't seem interested in conversation...perhaps because they were struggling even more than I was. But then I jogged up alongside of an older guy who had passed me earlier during one of my walking episodes.

Now obviously, when you're suffering through an endurance event like this, conversation is not really easy or fluid, but we managed a few exchanges. I found that he was from the Memphis area, had done several triathlons, and enjoyed the swimming portion more so than the other two disciplines. We continued to chat every few hundred yards and my sense of time began to speed up coupled with the fact that I was distracted from my discomfort and thinking about this other person. It worked! I found my rhythm and when he stopped off for some Gatorade and Gu at one of the checkpoints...I was able to kick it up a notch and finish strong.

There's gotta be a life lesson in there somewhere.

Finally, I began to hear the music and P/A system at the finish line. I rounded the last corner and steered my reluctant legs towards the cone-lined alley which led to the inflatable Xterra archway. A few hospitable onlookers clapped and cheered me towards the final stretch. "Great job, #46!! Way to go...you're almost there!" That is always an exciting moment. Knowing that you've stayed the course and finished the race. It's an earthly representation of Hebrews 12. Good stuff.

Just read this blurb from a campus ministry update page...

Banning Bottled Water: Washington University (Missouri) may be setting a trend with a campus wide ban on the sale of bottled water and forbidding the use of university funds for the purchase of bottled water. Students pushed for the move out of concern for environmental sustainability. They cite not only the overabundance of bottles that are consumed, but also the use of fossil fuels in the production and distribution process. A number of other schools have contacted Wash U. to learn more about how to bring a similar ban to their own campuses. (Inside Higher Ed February 9, 2009)


I've read some other things recently which have bolstered this argument. For economic reasons we were forced to give our water cooler back to Ice Mountain to save the $30/month. Fortunately, our tap water is pretty good here in Milford...so I think we'll be filling up the Nalgene's etc...instead of buying much bottled water.

Loving Wisdom, Loving Life

Since I just finished a lecture on Rene Descartes...I could not resist this little cartoon.

My recent transition towards teaching and campus ministry has brought me to at least one new realization. I really enjoy philosophy. Of course, it's rather unfortunate that I didn't pay more attention in my undergrad philosophy courses so that I might be a little more prepared to teach on the subject. But the intense reading and catching up has been fairly enjoyable.

Preparing for my first triathlon has been the second largest consumer of my time and schedule recently. As I get closer to the event, my workouts span 3 to 4 hours and have actually become nearly as enjoyable as they are long.

Apparently, I have some kind of pathology which just pushes me towards new and extreme experiences. Perhaps that explains the masochistic yet Epicurean pleasure which studying philosophy has brought to me as well.


My first swim/bike/run event will be the Xterra Off-Road Triathlon in Memphis, TN Saturday April 18th. The race consists of a 1-mile swim, an 18-mile mountain bike course on the Tour de Wolf and Wolf River Trails and a 10k trail run.

I've yet to swim a real good mile, so I'm a little nervous about that part of it. But the other distances shouldn't be a problem. That will be the first of 4 or 5 tri-events this year for me...so I canNOT wait!