Tuesday, December 11, 2018
Christmas 2018, Dec 22-24
The Chapel of Santa Claus will be having Christmas services each evening. We will have musicians and singers at 7 PM Saturday and Sunday, and a candlelight service on Christmas Eve at 6:00 PM Please join us as we celebrate the Lord's birth!
Saturday, February 3, 2018
Christmas Eve 2017: Dad's Last Sunday At The Chapel
An Article From: Honoring My Father, Bobby Riner
When Dad and I dressed and drove to the Chapel for the Christmas Eve worship service, I had no idea it would be the last time that we would do it together. I knew Dad was slowly declining and struggling in a number of ways, and his health was being strained by a long-dormant hernia that suddenly began to cause him pain. During the week prior, the hernia problem led us to the hospital ER to spend several hours to identify the problem and the pain and nausea it had caused.
Dad and I arrived in Santa Claus, parked, and we walked slowly arm-in-arm together through the Chapel garden. We never leaned on each other much, but it was becoming more common. In the previous week, we leaned on each other while walking through two different stores. I kept trying my best to help him get out and about in our community, and he was willing to keep trying too. When we walked into the Chapel, we exchanged all of our usual greetings, smiles, and hugs with other Chapelers, and I walked over to speak briefly to Dad's sister-in-law (his brother's wife). I said to her: "Linda, if you and Billy want to come by the house to see Daddy and spend time with him, the time is now. Come on when you can. I'm not God, and I don't know any more than anyone else, but Dad's days are winding down." I'm glad they came to see Dad and have a long visit with him on Christmas Day. That was a good day for him in many ways.
About halfway through the worship service, my sister noticed our dad was having trouble. The hernia popped out again and was causing him pain. We decided to help him up to go home, but dad was very conscious that it wasn't "right" to just walk out. So, he sat there, even as we tried to encourage him that it was OK to go home. The Chapel is a loving, informal family of Christ-seekers, so I immediately asked everyone to stand up to see if that would help Dad to stand. When that didn't work, someone suggested that everyone walk outside. Everyone walked outside as if we were dismissing, and Dad knew it was OK to leave. My sister and I helped him up and we walked out. Lining the porch, stairs, and garden walkway were all the Chapel attendees praying and showing respect to my dad as we slowly walked through the garden to go home. It is one of the most beautiful scenes I have ever witnessed.
Dad did feel better later that day after a quick trip to the ER where a doctor guided the hernia back into place, and Dad enjoyed Christmas dinner with family and the exchange of gifts, but that was our last Chapel Sunday together. The Chapel loved and respected Dad. For every handshake, hug, or smile he received, he also gave. He loved the people of the Chapel, and he knew that he was loved and respected. That's why he was never confused why we were driving out of the way from Vidalia to gather and worship with others in Santa Claus. The love of Christ can overcome any obstacle. Love is winsome. It draws us. Dad knew that. Dad received it. Dad gave it. Dad welcomed it, and I did too.
When Dad and I dressed and drove to the Chapel for the Christmas Eve worship service, I had no idea it would be the last time that we would do it together. I knew Dad was slowly declining and struggling in a number of ways, and his health was being strained by a long-dormant hernia that suddenly began to cause him pain. During the week prior, the hernia problem led us to the hospital ER to spend several hours to identify the problem and the pain and nausea it had caused.
Dad and I arrived in Santa Claus, parked, and we walked slowly arm-in-arm together through the Chapel garden. We never leaned on each other much, but it was becoming more common. In the previous week, we leaned on each other while walking through two different stores. I kept trying my best to help him get out and about in our community, and he was willing to keep trying too. When we walked into the Chapel, we exchanged all of our usual greetings, smiles, and hugs with other Chapelers, and I walked over to speak briefly to Dad's sister-in-law (his brother's wife). I said to her: "Linda, if you and Billy want to come by the house to see Daddy and spend time with him, the time is now. Come on when you can. I'm not God, and I don't know any more than anyone else, but Dad's days are winding down." I'm glad they came to see Dad and have a long visit with him on Christmas Day. That was a good day for him in many ways.
About halfway through the worship service, my sister noticed our dad was having trouble. The hernia popped out again and was causing him pain. We decided to help him up to go home, but dad was very conscious that it wasn't "right" to just walk out. So, he sat there, even as we tried to encourage him that it was OK to go home. The Chapel is a loving, informal family of Christ-seekers, so I immediately asked everyone to stand up to see if that would help Dad to stand. When that didn't work, someone suggested that everyone walk outside. Everyone walked outside as if we were dismissing, and Dad knew it was OK to leave. My sister and I helped him up and we walked out. Lining the porch, stairs, and garden walkway were all the Chapel attendees praying and showing respect to my dad as we slowly walked through the garden to go home. It is one of the most beautiful scenes I have ever witnessed.
Dad did feel better later that day after a quick trip to the ER where a doctor guided the hernia back into place, and Dad enjoyed Christmas dinner with family and the exchange of gifts, but that was our last Chapel Sunday together. The Chapel loved and respected Dad. For every handshake, hug, or smile he received, he also gave. He loved the people of the Chapel, and he knew that he was loved and respected. That's why he was never confused why we were driving out of the way from Vidalia to gather and worship with others in Santa Claus. The love of Christ can overcome any obstacle. Love is winsome. It draws us. Dad knew that. Dad received it. Dad gave it. Dad welcomed it, and I did too.
Thursday, January 25, 2018
Dementia Caregiver's Webpage
Greg is writing articles about his 4 year experience as a caregiver for his dad, Bobby Riner***. Greg is publishing on topics such as faith and spiritual matters, caregiver and healthcare issues, lessons learned, and unanswered questions. You can read his posts at:
Honoring My Father, Bobby Riner
***Bobby was one of the original attendees when the Chapel began its weekly Sunday prayer and worship meeting a few years ago. He had a long journey through the disease of dementia. He went home to the Lord on January 8, 2018. The Chapel is happy for his victory in Christ, yet we still miss him very much.
Honoring My Father, Bobby Riner
***Bobby was one of the original attendees when the Chapel began its weekly Sunday prayer and worship meeting a few years ago. He had a long journey through the disease of dementia. He went home to the Lord on January 8, 2018. The Chapel is happy for his victory in Christ, yet we still miss him very much.