By Pastor Mark Woodward
Maple Leaf Parish Spring Valley: Faith, Cherry Grove and Fountain United Methodist Churches
It was a very meaningful journey for me to be a student at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary on the campus of Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill. While a member of the seminary community, I met many well learned scholars and was blessed in so many ways that revealed to me so much about the things in life that really matter. During my journey, I met Dr. Ronald Sleeth and was privileged to have him as my preaching professor. He was a brilliant man who taught about Christian faith and life. He often came into class with an old, rumpled sweater, puffing on an old pipe… a very pleasant aroma in those days… He was a common man, a loving man, a man of spiritual depth that I will forever cherish. Dr. Sleeth was far more than a preaching professor, he was a role model following in the example of Jesus.
Once during a Christmas season, many of us seminarians were invited to his home for fellowship and delicious Christmas treats. While there we met his wife Natalie. She was a very accomplished pianist and musician. We also learned that she was a very talented Christian composer. She played the piano for us and we enjoyed beautiful carols of the season. Several years after graduation from seminary, I was saddened to learn of the death of my beloved professor. And in 1989, was surprised and deeply moved to see a powerful, new Christian hymn called “Hymn of Promise.” “Hymn of Promise” was a hymn that spoke of hope, life, newness and the promise of life eternal. The hymn was written by Natalie Sleeth in memory of her husband Dr. Ronald Sleeth – my preaching professor at Garrett-Evangelical Seminary.
Well… here we are in the midst of a long, Minnesota winter, in the Season of Lent preparing for the death and resurrection of Jesus. I know I’m eager for spring. I have spring fever. I’m ready for warmer days and I’m even kind of looking forward to mowing the lawn again! I invite you to read the words of Natalie Sleeth’s song… I find them inspiring and they bring new hope to my soul… “The Hymn of Promise” speaks of our human experience and the journey we share together: In the bulb there is a flower, in a seed, an apple tree, in cocoons, a hidden promise: butterflies will soon be free! In the cold and snow of winter there’s a spring that waits to be, unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see. There’s a song in every silence, seeking word and melody; there’s a dawn in every darkness, bringing hope to you and me. From the past will come the future; what it holds a mystery, unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see. In our end is our beginning; in our time, infinity; in our doubt there is believing; in our life, eternity. In our death, a resurrection; at the last, a victory, unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.
Whenever I sing this song or read the words, no matter how cold the day or how dark the night, I am reminded of the promise that renews our hope and gives us the joy of life. So as we enter this time of year, I thought Natalie Sleeth’s song, “Hymn of Promise” would be good for us… reminding us that even “in the cold and snow of winter there’s a spring that waits to be, unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.”
May our days together be filled with hope and promise… It is a privilege and a blessing to share in the journey of life with the people of the Spring Valley, Cherry Grove, and Fountain area.
Your friend,
Pastor Mark Woodward