I was blessed in February 2008, at the age of almost 65, to be able to make my second trip to UTU to visit one of the most important people I have ever met, the Revd Dr John Vincent. That may appear to be a very weighty complimentary statement, and for me it is, and very important, for I can think of no place more spiritual in our present day than learning at the feet of Dr. Vincent and spending time at UTU.

"WOW that's heavy, Father!" one of my companions stated on my return to New London, Connecticut. Yes, it is. However, I stated, if your desire is to be a disciple of Jesus as I have attempted, and you are going to serve Christ in the manner that is illuminated through the Gos­pel of Mark, then being at UTU with John, reading his published works and study­ing his theological teaching is the place to be.

"How do you know this?" I was asked. After serving a prison sentence in my early years one could say that, like Dismas, I was fortunate enough to be turned around by Christ before my road to destruction would have had the likely end of my modern day crucifixion. "Go and sin no more." I have not quite been able to keep that; nevertheless, "Give up all and follow me!" I have done fairly well at, and though not having a theology to help guide me in the mission of Jesus, I have spent nearly forty years attempting to do the practical things of Jesus' ministry I found in Mark.

Some would say I have an accomplished resume of helping to bring change to institutions and troubled lives over these years, all for the better. For me to take credit for any of this would be denying Christ's work, which he has allowed me to share. So in an effort to glorify Jesus and give the credit where it belongs, at the suggestion of John, a full length movie is being made of my life.

Having met John several years ago when invited to be part of an Episcopal educational program at UTU, I was introduced to John's book Radical Jesus. I was astounded, and ab­sorbed his book in one con­tinuous reading, for he had outlined, validated and in theological terms laid out the meaning of my life and the mission that I walk. It was paramount therefore to have returned to UTU and Dr Vincent to incorporate his theological view as part of our film, which will in­clude the mission of our homeless projects here in New London, much of which was accomplished through the guidance and organiz­ing instructional methods taught byJohn at UTU. I believe my years of at­tempting to be led by the call of Jesus to "leave all things behind and follow me" gives me the right to say that in all my failings, I attempt to be his disciple. However, I am very confi­dent that Jesus led me to a man whose life-long works placed in theological per­spective my life and walk. I am thankful to have been able to meetand share ministry with a true Apostle, Dr John Vincent.

Along with Gerry and Jes­sica Corneau, our ministry partners and film makers, we enjoyed the wonderful hospitality of UTU, and I thank UTU staff for making our stay so enjoyable.

We came over to make a movie about me. However, we broaden that scope, for ' John was so wonderful in outlining the work needing to be done that Gerry and Jess have enough film foot­age to place on film the work of John and UTU. I am anticipating several mean­ingful film cuts on our joint ministries. We look forward to sharing this with you in due course.

 

 

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