Fourth Night

 I asked people to use the letter to communicate some idea or feeling about the chapel. We have spent a little bit of time each week going over the previous week's rewrites and then moving into the next assignment. On this particular night we spent a great deal of time again discussing the haiku and the next assignment. We spent some time in trying to compose and most everyone knew who they were going to write to by the time we left. Bill writes to two friends in College Station, Texas where he taught at Texas A&M for over twenty years. I write to my mother, Carol to her father, and Penny writes to her mother. Each session brings news of Penny's mother and her failing health. She begins a letter to her mother to tell her about the writing we are doing at the chapel. As it turns out all of us but Fran, write to a family member and find elements in each other's work to incorporate. Fran writes a dialogue between herself and what she calls "Spirit." The following excerpts give a small insight into those letters:

Excerpts:

The sense of history and stories is what intrigues me the most And I'm sure it would weave a spell for you I 'm certain ... Carol You taught Sunday School to the middle school girls-that was fun You always looked so dressed up and proper... Sandra Tucson is good at ... working on the formation of neighborhood groups To represent different populations... not at all like Texas where power is Jealously guarded by those who have it ... ...Bill I think, Mom, that you would like all the changes that have happened And that are planned. It is exciting to me to see your "baby" continue To come to life ...Penny The first century that gave us our savior is surely outstanding... I'm Jewish, San Pedro So was Jesus Christ... Fran

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