For Jane Hines, upon retiring

Blest Be Our Jane
by Dee Wade
9 October 2005 to the tune of
"Dennis" (PH, # 438)

Blest be our Jane, Ms Hines,
Who’s charming as a dove;
We bring her laud as she resigns,
From work that she dost love.

Upon the editor’s throne,
The paper she wisely prepares;
She covers the Synod
like it’s her own,
Which shows how much she cares.

We’ll rue the day she goes,
Her servanthood has no peer;
She gave us our Voice,
so from our heart flows
The doleful though thankful tear.

Now onward and upward she’ll fly,
Her schedule soon totally free:
She’ll travel, she’ll sail,
give Paris a try,
not France, but Tennessee.

My Champion
by Dee Wade

Everybody needs a champion, someone who hangs with you when you’re working hard, doing what you love to do, giving it your best, pouring your heart out, and who appreciates it all, supports the good part, talks you out of the bad, and lavishes on you her spiritual gift of encouragement.

I was afraid of Jane when I first got to know her. I don’t know why that was -- whether it was her imposing presence, or that look she sometimes gives people that could sand rough sawn barn wood down to gym floor smoothness -- just knew that I wanted to stay on her good side if at all possible.

But I’m glad I got over my fear and learned how to enjoy her company. She’s a tremendous tour director and once I submitted to her guidance, I was exposed to some fine eating establishments, visited colorful, interesting churches, and participated in many delightfully creative seminars. Traipsing around the Synod with Jane, I saw some of the most beautiful territory, witnessed some of the most brilliant games of cutthroat Scrabble, and met the most fascinating people in the Southeastern United States.

Everybody needs a champion. I’m glad that I can name Jane Hines as mine.