When Archbishop Tutu Met my Dentist. ( 1 0f 2 )

It was 2002.  Archbishop Tutu and and his wife, Leah Nomalizo Shenxane were in residence at the Episcopal Divinity School in Cambridge, MA.



I was the Rector at St. James's. Cambridge, just about  a mile away from the Divinity School, on  Massachusetts Avenue.

It happens that my Dentist was also on Mass Ave.  My new hygienist (from eastern Europe) asked me about my work.  When I replied it was clear that she had no clue about the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion. 

Seeking a way in I asked if she had heard of Archbishop Tutu. She became animated and lively.  She said "oh yes, he was here".

My Dentist overheard our conversation.   He came into the room.

It turns out that Archbishop Tutu had a minor dental problem. He  had been referred to my Dentist, who by now was quivering with joy.

The Dentist said  "I expected him to arrive in a limousine with armed guards.  Instead he ambled up Mass Ave all alone in the most casual of casual clothes"  My Unitarian  Dentist was highly impressed. His hero Bishop Tutu (because of his work for justice) had no airs and graces.

That's the Desmond Tutu we honour.

His utter greatness is epitomized by the simple coffin he chose for his funeral.




Tomorrow. My three minutes of tearfulness and joy when I met Archbishop Tutu face to face.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Shoe insults

Last year I consulted with a local podiatrist: Dr. Robert F Herbold Jr. D.P.M. 4717 Swift Rd., Sarasota , FL – 34231  because I was being bothered with a couple of bunions  (yes I am at that age). I was very impressed with this Doctor.  He agreed that I had bunions, but he ventured that it was much too soon for surgery. (Now there’s a first). Instead he recommended some “arch supports” to relieve the tension for my feet, a tension which was exacerbating the bunions. What’s more -  he told me that he sells these arch supports at the miserly sum of $2.50 each (about 1/5 of the price in the local pharmacies). He is an honest man, and I recommend him to anyone with foot problems. So, a couple of weeks ago, having purchased some new walking shoes, I knew that I needed to buy a couple of new arch supports I took myself to his office. Once there, my mind went blank. I wanted to ask his front desk Clerk if I could buy some “shoe inserts” , as I could not rem...
Read more

It began in Bristol U.K. "A man dies" and "Jesus Christ Superstar"

Image
I well remember the swirling controversy in Bristol, U.K. when a (Presbyterian) Minister the Revd, Earnest Marviin created a ":Rock Opera", called "A Man Dies"  in and for his congregation in the Lockleaze area of Bristol, U.K. Earnest Mrvin I was a sixteen years old member of the Plymouth Brethren Church back in those days, so I most likely disapproved of "A Man Dies" .  We, (the Plymouth Brethren),  disapproved of everything! ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I had forgotten all about "A Man Dies" until earlier today when saw these pictures on the "Bristol, Then and Now"  Facebook page.   St. James Presbyterian Church, Lockleaze, Bristol  The Bristol Then and Now page includes the following commentary: Lockleaze, Bristol  -  'Jesus Christ Superstar' began at St.James (Presbyterian) Chur...
Read more

The background, the couple, my friends, the wedding ceremony, the Shaykh, the Priest,

Image
The background   I have known the Keller/Bonsey family since 2000 when I became the Rector at St. James's, Cambridge, MA. They (Elisabeth Keller and the Revd. Steven Bonsey with their four children Noah, Sam, Josiah and Annie) had come back to Cambridge from Hawaii where Steve had been the Rector of an Episcopal parish. Steve had just been appointed as a Chaplain at Tufts University (no Sunday morning duties) so the entire family was able to enrich our common life at St. James's - which they did with great love and joy. I count them as friends and have stayed in touch with them since my retirement.  Noah, the oldest son is eloquent in Arabic (he spent a year in Damascus when Syria was a safe place).  He has developed a super career as an analyst of social media in the near East.    Noah worked in Tampa for a while a few years ago, so he and I were a...
Read more