I remember Don. Don Arnold was a member of the Search Committee that invited me to come and serve St. Luke’s United Church. After all the other committee members had finished asking questions about my gifts for ministry and the possible fit we might be together Don wanted to jump in. “Have you seen our swamp”, Don asked with a tone of pride, like a father would ask about his daughter or son. I confess it was a question I had never received from any other Search Committee.
Before I could arrive at St. Luke’s Don died. Don’s vision for the swamp was simply that the area be preserved and made accessible to the members of the community. He wanted everyone to enjoy this sacred place of natural beauty, as he did.
Jeff Parks, of our Property Ministry, and 7-10 men from the church, worked hard over the years to make Don’s vision a reality. Don’s family generously provided all of the expenses related to this project.
On June 24th 2012 the project will be complete and the space formerly known as the swamp will become “Don’s Way”. Janet Arnold, Don’s wife, will sing that day. And we “shall gather at the river” as the spiritual says, to remember, to reflect, and to reveal. It was, it is, Don’s Way.
Kevin Little
St. Luke’s, Minister 2006-2013
