Barbara's Retirement Dinner

Some of you might know one or two of the folks in this grainy picture ---that's right-- Barbara and Joaquin Garcia and their son Roy. Actually there were about 150 other people in the room too, give or take a few---the room was at First UMC Jackson Tennessee, and this was Barbara Garcia's retirement (!) party. Why was I there, you ask??? Because I was blessed with an unspeakably wonderful gift twenty three years ago, when Barbara hired me as her assistant for "Focus '85," the first of the children's workers conferences put on by the General Board of Discipleship. She was on staff in the worship section, and needed someone to help her organize and register folks for the event. I had returned to school after having received my mDiv and needed work. How was I to know what a formative relationship this would be; how my daughter would know these folks as her godparents; that my deep love for them would only grow and grow; that Barbara's gracious spirit, UMC know-how; and love for me has been one of the consistent forces for good in my life for the past 23 years. Her last 11 years before retirement at Annual Conference this year have been as administrative assistant to the bishop of the Tennessee and Memphis Conferences. She has assisted three bishops in her work. Three bishops were present tonight, including Bishops Morris and Wills, and Bishop Pennell who was pastor at Brentwood UMC when Barbara was on staff there. Bless you dear friend Barbara, and I can't tell you how much it meant to me to be present for this love-filled evening tonight. Grace under fire, indeed. When things get tough, and the going gets rough, imagining what Barbara would do (and attempting to do it) is good enough.