Greetings to all Jubilums:
It is the end of February, Advent and Christmas have past, Lent and Easter are just around the corner, and Spring Tour is almost here. Yes, every year at this time, I still think about boarding the bus and beginning another Jubilate tour. I remember my first tour, as I am sure you do, and I am reminded how tour was the event that made me understand what it means to be a member of the Jubilate family. As you know, it is when your first tour is ending and you are on the way home, that you realize what being a member of the Jubilate family is all about. I shall never forget my days with Jubilate.
I am excited about our upcoming reunion next year. It has always been a great weekend to visit, share memories, and catch-up with one another. It seems that when we return for these reunions, we all have “back to the future” moments when we look back to the days gone by and almost imagine that we are in them once again. Then we are brought back into the present as we share pictures of our children and (for some of us) grandchildren.
As some of you may know, I am the Minister of Music at Rome First United Methodist Church in Rome, GA. I have been here since July of ’06. As is usually the case, Marty and I have been in two different towns, except on weekends, awaiting the sell of our house in Athens. We have successfully sold our house in Athens and are ready to close on a house in Rome at the end of the month. There are several nice things about being back in Rome (I grew up in Rome) my mother is still here, Jennifer, Tripp, Will, and Chandler live here, and I am enjoying catching up with friends from the past.
Jennifer and Tripp are staying busy trying to keep up with our two grandsons, Will, 3 and Chandler, almost 1. Jennifer is working in a program that teaches children whose parents are returning for their GED. Tripp owns his own business and is staying busy. Jennifer and Tripp are very active in First Baptist in Rome.
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Chad is finishing his Masters in Art Education and currently doing his student teaching. Chad is living in Athens and for now, plans to remain there. He had been working for the Adolescent Achievement program, that is a grant funded program designed to help give juvenile offenders a way out of the juvenile court system. He felt the call to complete his education requirements to go into the classroom to teach art.
Johanna has “returned home” after spending a year in the Ukraine with the Peace Corp. She worked with handicap children in her first assignment and helped begin an after school program t designed to educate children on environmental issues. She is currently working in Colorado and hoping to save money to fulfill her plans to enter a masters program in social work.
Marty is working with Lutheran Services Corporation in Athens establishing a program for the Developmentally Disabled. When we move to Rome she will be able to stay with the same company and help develop the same program for Lutheran Services.
I am staying connected to the Jubilate family and I will be introducing this year’s current members to Rome First when they come our way on tour on March 6. They will present a concert at Rome First at 7:00 on Tuesday, March 6. If any Jubilate alums are close enough to come here the group, please call me (706-291-8590) ahead of time and I give you directions to the church and will let the group know that you will be here to hear them.
I look forward to seeing all of you at next year’s 35th Jubilate Reunion. I can hardly wait to see you and to hear you sing.
Soli Deo Gloria,
Len Willingham
Jubilate Director from 1981-89
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