A Mockery of Democracy

 Six weeks from today is Election Day. Some people have already requested absentee ballots. A few states have begun early in-person voting. But too many will "sit this one out." We can't! Democracy itself is on the ballot. What can you do to assure all people can vote? Help those whose names have been removed from the rolls? Help those who don't have an address because they are homeless? Congregational clergy cannot tell people HOW to vote, but can encourage them TO vote. Justice, inclusion, equity are on the ballot. We dare not give in to those seek authoritarian power, making a mockery of democracy. 

Our Cerro Gordo (Iowa) County Courthouse

Where has the Cook Family name gone?

 Family heritage is important. On my father's side I am English and Scottish. My Dad died 72 years ago when I was ll. In his Cook family, there were six sisters, my dad, and one more brother, 20 years younger. Since my dad had only girls, would our Cook name be lost? (I use Norma Cook Everist as my professional name, not a legal name.) However, my dad's younger brother had five boys, including two sets of twins.  Lots more Cooks!  My cousin, Rick, a doctor in Chicago, came back to Mason City for a class reunion last weekend. What a wonderful conversation we had after all these years! Here is a picture of him and me.  I think we have the same smile.

The Queen: Minister of Reconciliation

 So much has been said about Queen Elizabeth II's stability, her family troubles, her long life, but I go deeper to this woman's ministry of reconciliation.  In watching the German TV DW news, I learned of her five visits to Germany, more than to most other nations.  Elizabeth suffered through WW II and also joined the war effort as a mechanic in the military.  She began her reign during the food shortages after the war. However, only a short time after the War she traveled to Germany.  She cared about the suffering in Germany, too.  After unification, she traveled to Dresden, which had been bombed to the ground by Allied forces.  Although booed by some, she persisted, and personally led an effort to restore a church. 

Fall some say she presided over a falling British monarchy, she persisted in building the Commonwealth of nations, not to rule over, but to reconcile. She was against apartheid in South Africa and Namibia. More nations a part of the Commonwealth now than ever before.  The picture of her and Angela Merkel is priceless. Queen Elizabeth II was no a conquering monarch but a servant, a faithful minister of reconciliation.

Jennaya goes to college

 Granddaughter Jennaya Everist, left this morning for Wartburg College.  She has struggled for most of her lifetime with a very serious form of Crohn's disease, being in the hospital too many time to count.  She had another surgery just last week at Mayo. Wartburg College is only a couple of hours from Mayo. Wartburg is very supportive of people with disabilities. She plans to major in music therapy, hoping to help children in hospitals.  

We appreciate your prayers for people across the country, and even the world.  We give thanks for her gifts and for her courage. We gave her our blessing yesterday.  Here are pictures of her with Burton and me.  Also pictured is Jennaya standing in front of her house by the tree which was planted shortly after her birth 18 years ago.