A Place Called Grace

I have just returned from an unforgettable journey to "A Place Called Grace." I was among approximately 30 "pilgrims" who participated in the Dan River Walk to Emmaus #46 this past weekend at a lakefront 4-H Center in Reidsville, NC. Themed "A Place Called Grace," the 7-hour sojourn...inspired by the Biblical walk by the Resurrected Jesus with two of His disciples along the Road to Emmaus...was one of the most powerful spiritual experiences of my life. Each of us pilgrims (first time participants in the Emmaus Walk) experienced the unconditional love and boundless grace of Jesus and got a little taste of what Heaven must certainly be like. I won't get into specifics so as not to spoil the experience for persons making the pilgrimage in the future. Just know that It was incredible and one that every Christian should consider making at some point. However, I will say that we laughed, cried (grown men can do it as well as babies, believe me), sang praises to God, shared our deepest burdens with each other, and heard 15 inspirational "talks" that focused on how we as Christians can more fully experience God's love and grace and share these blessings with our neighbors. Not only were we fed spiritually, but our physically bodies were stuffed as well with delicious, abundant meals and plenty of hearty snacks in between.

One of the most special things about the weekend was that throughout the 72-hour Emmaus Walk, countless people were engaged in around-the-clock prayer for each of us participants by name. Many other acts of "agape" or unconditional love like God's were shared with each of the pilgrims. I would like to thank the many Christians in our community and far beyond who prayed for me during my Walk to Emmaus and the many from whom I received cards, letters, and support. Many of these people I will never meet or know but I do know that they loved me as a fellow Christian and through their prayers positively impacted my life. Thanks too to my sponsor, my friend Will Walker, who is widely loved and respected in the Dan River Emmaus community as is his wife Genia and their daughter Amy.

The weekend was designed to allow each of us to focus our attention upon our relationship with Jesus without interference from the outside world. We gave up our watches, clocks, cellphones, computers, the Internet, and other distractions devoting our full attention to a relaxed examination of our personal relationships with Jesus and to our personal growth as Christians. After a weekend apart from the temporal world, I must say it was a challenge to return to the split-second timing required of a morning radio show host. It was so relaxing indeed, even surreal to give, up all those things of the world and just enjoy time spent in prayer, worship, study, self-examination, and fellowship with the Lord and fellow Christians.

I believe that my participation in the 46th Dan River Walk to Emmaus strengthened my Christian faith immensely and drew me much closer to Jesus. Please continue to pray for me as I seek to surrender control of my life to Christ and thereby allow Jesus to bear my burdens and fulfill His purpose for me. Although I have been a Christian for a long time, only after my Emmaus experience am I fully beginning to develop the intimate relationship wth Jesus for which my soul longs. I have found that there is a void in each of our lives that only Jesus can fill and unless we submit our tenacious human control to Him we can never truly attain the true happiness and joy that all Christians should rejoice in daily. After our incredible visit to "A Place Called Grace", now each of the Emmaus Walk participants must persevere on the "Fourh Day," which was defined as each and every day of our lives following the 3-day Emmaus Walk as we try to apply the Christian principles that we learned to our own lives in this modern material world and to share Jesus' love and grace with our neighbors, our communities, and a lost and dying world. Please continue to pray for me and other Emmaus pilgrims and our lay and clergy leadership team! I would like to invite comments from the many others in our community who have also shared in the life-changing Emmaus experience. God's grace be with you!

De Colores,
Richard

Hospital Administrator Resigns

Less than one month into the new management contract with Pioneer Health Services, the R.J. Reynolds Patrick County Memorial Hospital has lost the administrative officer who nursed the troubled medical facility through its darkest times. Janice Wilkins told me tonight that she submitted her resignation as hospital administrator today, Mon., Mar. 23, 2009. "It is time in my life for me to put my priorities in order, the Lord first, then my family and my community," said Wilkins. "I'm very proud of how we made it through some difficult times. It has been a tough 4 years," added Mrs. Wilkins of her tenure as administrator of the financially struggling local hospital. She said "a wonderful group of people kept the facility open," during its most difficult times. Mrs. Wilkins said she will announce her future plans in about two weeks. her resignation will become effective May 1, 2009.

I know Janice personally and how hard she has worked to keep the hospital open. I can't imagine anyone being more dedicated to a cause or as passionate about an institution as Janice is about our local hospital. Janice, I commend you and past and present members of your staff for your perseverence and dedication to keeping the hospital afloat on the stormy seas upon which it has sailed in recent years. I wish you much success in your future indeavors and look forward to continuing to work with you in service to our community as members of the Stuart Rotary Club.

I am hopeful that the new management team at the hospital will be able to rescue the hospital but the loss of Mrs. Wilkins as administrator is a real setback it seems to me. I urge everyone in the community to utilize the services that are still available at the hospital or will become available to the public in the future. Only through public support will the hospital be able to ultimately survive and become economically viable again no matter who runs it. Our local hospital has lost a very able administrator but we must continue on as a community to help keep the hospital that we so desperately need in Patrick County. Let's keep the hospital's new management in our prayers...as well as Mrs. Wilkins as she embarks upon a new phase of her life.

Proudly Patrick,
Richard

A Great Day for Patrick County

Once on the verge of ceasing operations and closing ts doors, Patrick County's beleagured hospital has new managment and renewed hope. "It's a great day for Patrick County," declared Del. Ward Armstrong Tuesday during a ribbon-cutting ceremony and public reception celebrating the start of operations of the local hospital (officially March 1, 2009), now known as Pioneer Community Hospital of Patrick County, under the management of Pioneer Medical Services, a Mississippi-based company that specializes in the operations of critical access hospitals.

This truly is 'great' news for a community that has endured many years of economic hardship, in general, and financial struggles by the hospital, in particular. The local hospital is vital to the continued growth and vitality of our county, in terms of, not only health care services but, economic development, community stability, and quality of life . The fact that the would-be tragedy of its closing was averted is attributable to the widespread community support the hosptial enjoys as well as the collaboration of officials at the local, state, and federal levels of government. The community is "sincere about the hospital," said Pioneer executive Steve Fontaine, applauding its public backing. He said that sincerity was a major factor in the decision by Pioneer Health Services to enter into a 5-year lease areement to manage and operate the hospital with plans to expand its services and, hopefully, recall laid off workers. The resuce of the medical facility by Pioneer marks the start of a new era for the hospital which has been an indispensable community resource for 47 years having been opened in 1962.

I commend County Administrator Jay Scudder for his tireless work in pursuing a solution to the hospital's dilemma over many months. "Perseverence" was the key, said Scudder. Also to be commended are members of the Patrick County Board of Supervisors, Assistant County Adminitrator and Economic Development Director Tom Rose, State Sen. Roscoe Reynolds, Del. Armstrong, U.S. Representative Rick Boucher, Governor Tim Kaine and other state officials, and many other community leaders who worked behind the scenes to make Tuesday "a great day for Patrick County."

Now, its up to the community to use the hospital and to support its revitalization in order for the local hospital to become financially viable. Our continued community support will ensure that Tuesay, Mar. 3, 2009 truly was a "great day" in the history of Patrick County.

Taking pride in Patrick,
Richard

Lady Cougars Are Roaring!

As their remarkable season rolls on into March, the month of basketball "madness", the maddening roar of the Patrick County High School girls' varsity basketball team is beginning to be heard around the state. The Piedmont District regular season champion Lady Cougars claimed another prestigious title Friday night when PCHS conquered Graham High School with a 51-49 victory at Graham Middle School in the Region IV, Division 3 championship game. The Lady Cougars thus earned their first regional title in almost two decades. Patrick County High last won a regional championship in 1990.

"When you get to this point, it comes down to who wants it more," head coach Glenn Burnett, the Piedmont District Coach of the Year, was quoted as saying in a published report. The hungry, determined Lady Cougars...who have given our economically-devastated community something to cheer about in these often depressing times...now set their sights on the next level of competition.

The Piedmont District and Region IV, Division 3 champion PCHS Lady Cougars have advanced to the state tournament this weekend in the Salem Civic Center. Patrick County will play in the state quarterfinal round on Friday or Saturday against an opponent to be annouced later.

Let's ask God to help the Lady Cougars to prepare for this daunting challenge both physically and mentally and to give them the strength and determination they will need to continue to play at their very best...which to this point has truly been championship form. Keep on roarin,' Lady Cougars! The whole community is behind you. Patrick Countians are proud of our team no matter what happens in Salem. This week, let's all show that Lady Cougar pride by wearing the PCHS green and gold! GO LADY COUGARS as your roar reverberates around the Old Dominion!!!

With great PCHS pride,
Richard