The Dark Knight-- A Movie Review

According to fandango.com, Batman, with the assistance of Lieutenant Jim Gordon and District Attorney Harvey Dent, "sets out to destroy organized crime in Gotham for good. The triumvirate proves to be effective, but they soon find themselves prey to a rising criminal mastermind known as the Joker, who thrusts Gotham into anarchy and forces the Dark Knight ever closer to crossing the fine line between hero and vigilante."

Based on the previews, The Dark Knight is not a movie I normally would have attended due to my personal preferences. However, I was intrigued enough by the reviews of a few movie critics that I decided to give it a whirl anyway. And what a whirl it was, clocking in at 2 1/2 hours of twists, turns, surprises, and horror. And that was just the plotline. Nothing was spared in terms of action either.

Visually, The Dark Knight is a sumptuous feast and fright fest rolled into a seamless narrative of chaos and hopelessness. The movie is rated PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and some menace, according to fandango.com. Frankly, I think it deserves an R rating due to its disturbing content. The only reason it doesn't have that rating is because it does spare us the graphic details of the frequent violence, a point which lessens the negative impact for those who choose to watch it. For those who read my movie reviews to determine suitability for children, The Dark Knight is NOT suitable for children, not only because of its pervasive violence and menace--menace is a euphemistic way of describing pathological murder and threats--but also because it explores themes in ways that are not appropriate for children.

Do I believe that The Dark Knight should not be watched by thoughtful adults? In one sense, no, if the adults in question are sensitive to violence (Shouldn't we all be effected by this malady? Alas, we aren't, myself included to a certain point). However, The Dark Knight is really a very good movie in many ways. Let me list a few to make my point. The writing is first rate, allowing the story to propel the action, rather than the reverse. The actors are marvelous, from Christian Bale as Batman/Bruce Wayne, the late Heath Ledger as a fascinating cruel Joker, plus such notable actors as Michael Caine (Alfred), Gary Oldman (Gordon), Aaron Eckhart (Harvey Dent), Morgan Freeman (Lucius Fox), and the lovely Maggie Gyllenhaal as Rachel Dawes. The film is fascinating to look at from a cinematography standpoint, both in panoramic scenes and interior sets.

There are a few important themes I noticed which deserve ongoing attention from a societal and/or pastoral perspective:

1. Is it ever okay to eavesdrop on citizens in order to curtail terrorism and rampant crime? As a corollary, at what point do we give up liberty in the hope of safety? And does that lessoning of liberty truly translate into a safer society? At what point, if any, do we lay down certain liberties for the greater good? Who decides the greater good? Who has access to the resultant information and thus controls it?

2. What causes a person to become evil in heart and deed? The actions mounted against them when they were vulnerable as children? The evil perpetrated against them which caused them to react negatively, rather than respond positively? This is a major theme in the movie. In the worldview of Gotham, we stand on the precipice of a knife's blade between good and evil. A hero is a hero for a time, until he outlasts his status and becomes the villain. I found it interesting that in this worldview, evil seems to stem from the choices of others perpetrated on victims, who later became evil as a result. The Joker, Harvey Dent, others et al. At what point do we own up to the fact that evil is the result of choices we make? There is no overt religious worldview evident in the film, other than one woman making the roman catholic sign of the cross as she prepared for her possible death. However, the spiritual themes are pervasive, if unintended.

3. The Joker conducted a sociological experiment, one that provided some of the most densely populated acting nuance in the film. He rigged two larger steam ferries with explosives and drums carrying oil. One of the boats hauled convicted felons, murderers, violent men, thieves all. The other boat carried innocent citizens. Both boats were trying to escape the rampant violence for another part of the city. Both boats had a detonator device rigged to explode the opposite boat. They had until midnight to engage the detonator before the Joker would explode them both with his remote detonator. If one of them destroyed the other, he would spare them, or so he said. If not, then they both would die anyway. This scene is worth watching carefully as a means of examining ones own attitudes and assumptions. In the inmate boat there was much talk and even threats. Near the time of ultimate destruction for them all an enormous inmate, ostensibly a murderer, walked up to the guard commander and asked for the detonator, saying that he was ready and willing to do it and it could be blamed on him, since he was already an inmate. The commander, hands shaking, allowed him to take it. The prisoner threw the device out the window into the harbor. Who had greater character? This prisoner? Or the majority in the opposite boat who had argued and later voted to detonate the imnate vessel? Who was more evil? The convicted felons who chose not to kill the innocents or the innocents who voted to kill the felons, but lacked the courage to carry it out? What do you think and why?

4. Vigilantism. Batman is painted as a vigilante, quite a step away from respected business leader Bruce Wayne. It seems as if the movie recognizes the problems with vigilantism, but attempts to make us sympathetic to it, given the apparent impotence of authorities to combat crime, especially in cities where corruption and violence dovetail with the mob agendas. Is vigilantism wrong? Is self-defense wrong? Is intervening to protect an innocent wrong if it means hurting the perpetrator? At what point and to what extent is it acceptable, if at all, to use force in self-defense? What about defending your family? Your spouse and children? Those you love most dearly?

For these reasons and others I recommend The Dark Knight advisedly. If you do not have the stomach for dark themes and violence (again, should any of us like it?), then I suggesting passing on this one. If you are able to separate fiction from reality, knowing that the violence in this film employs the power of suggestion more than graphic details, then you should be fine.

My DMin Professors: An Annotated List

Here is the list of the professors who influenced me in my doctor of ministry course work. I do not recall all of the course titles. Apparently, receiving an unofficial transcript from the seminary is a laborious process, so I gave up trying. In any event, here they are in this concise list.

Eddie Gibbs: Missiology, Postmodernism. What I appreciated about Eddie is his scholarly curiosity co-mingled with his missionary heart. He is the first to introduce me to concepts of post-modernity and the different ways that many are doing church in the Western hemisphere. Frankly, it was refreshing to see that it is possible to break out of the confining molds of certain ways of doing church so that we may be more missionally sensitive in the locations where God has placed us.

Leith Anderson: Administrator Extraordinaire, leadership principles. Leith definitely lives and breaths in the modern mold of ministry, at least he did when I met him. This is not a bad thing. He obviously ministers very effectively in his context in Minnesota. I especially appreciated a chapel talk he gave, cogently analyzing the culture from a biblical worldview. He is a gifted communicator and marvelous administrator, especially in terms of organizing ministry and marketing it to his culture.

John Armstrong: Spiritual Formation; Lectio Divina, accountability and spiritual leadership. I appreciate John's vulnerability and his passion for Jesus Christ. He lives on the sharp edge of difficult church and spiritual formation issues. I liked how he gave practical tools for spiritual formation and reminded us that moral failure can happen to anyone when we cease to be vigilant and accountable.

Brian McLaren: Postmodernism, Emergent Church, Missional Living, paradigm shifts. Brian blew open the pandora's box of postmoderism for me. Yet I am surviving the ride. I am not emergent in terms of being involved in his or any other emergent movement. But I am different from what I was once was in my thinking and attitudes. Those who are emergent likely would be frustrated with some of my challenges to their thinking. Those who are evangelical, like me, and also modern, likely would be frustrated by some of my challenges to the way they frame dialogue between followers of Jesus and the lost. In fact, I have had some become angry at me for calling myself a follower of Jesus, rather than identifying with a specific denomination (yes, I am a part of a denomination, but I do not follow it in the same sense I follow Jesus!). Brian's weeklong course precipitated a cascade of thinking, writing, praying, struggling in me. It truly was instrumental in changing the course of my doctor of ministry program for the better, especially as it pertains to my dissertation. This is partly due to the fact I had a life-altering employment loss experience not long after the course. But that is a discussion for another post.

John Johnson/Enoch Wan: Dissertation. These guys helped take the mystery out of the dissertation process. Now I simply need to remember what they said, since it was so long ago!

Todd Hunter: Segue between Evangelicals and Emergent. Todd is a strong voice of moderation between evangelicals and emergent, which I appreciate. He understands the complexities between varying worldviews, especially when they interact.

Randy Frazee: Creating Margin in Life And Family. Randy makes a lot of sense and deserves to be heard and read. But be prepared to be discomfitted when he prods you, pokes you, and challenges the way you now live. Curious? Then read his books. You won't be the same. I do not agree with everything he says. I do think we need to take him seriously as we move forward with our ridiculously complex lives. We cannot afford not to do so. His teaching and writing has been instrumental in informing the direction of my dissertation.

Forklifts/Warehouses as a Metaphor for Ministry

These are the forklifts I regularly drive at three locations for my place of employment. Take a look at them. What are the similarities? What are the differences? Beyond the obvious cosmetic differences, there are others hidden from view of these photos, not least the controls, the unique characteristics of handling, the environments in which they are operated, the payloads they are required to handle, plus the specific safety features on each one. So take a look. Make a note of what you perceive. I would like to walk us through an examination of forklifts and warehouses as a metaphor for ministry. Having worked in warehouses professionally for over twenty years (much of that time was spent in floorcovering, wholesale and retail), I believe there are some concepts to be gleaned by making observations about the industry as it relates to ministry.

Warehouse tasks and the forklifts that enable so much of the labor to be done effectively are an interesting breed. I have worked in and visited many warehouses over the years. They vary in size, scope, complexity, purpose, personnel, technology, atmosphere, safety protocols, leadership structure, and so on. Some are quite sophisticated and rival clean rooms due to their pristine appearance. Others look like a tornado hit, with workers walking about in a daze, wondering where to find product.

The warehouses I work in fall somewhere between these two extremes. There is a unique culture in each, largely due to differences in personalities, size and management styles.

The forklifts vary as well, so let's start by pointing out a few key similarities and differences.

Similarities between these forklifts: They all have four rubber tires, a protective roll cage, a lift mast, an attachment to the mast, although the attachments vary in size and function, a start key, forward/reverse mechanisms, steering wheels, electric power, excelerators, brakes, tilt gears, lift gears (all but one have side shift capacity), very large batteries which also serve as a counterweight feature, seats, fire extinguishers, lift/tilt/sideshift gears to the right of the steering columns, plus a number of less notable common features. You get the idea. These are all forklifts. They look like forklifts. They drive like forklifts. They function like forklifts. Yesiree, they are forklifts. But, if they are all forklifts, why are some of them so vastly different in performance, capability, technical specification, sophistication, and functional nuance than their counterparts? It reminds me of churches. From a distance, so many churches look the same, but upon closer examination, moving beyond broad common forms, there are worlds of difference. More on that in a moment.

Differences between some of these forklifts:

The first photo depicts a Hyster. It is used at our main corporate location to move skids of ceramic, granite, wood and laminate, among other things. It has four foot long forks which can be outfitted with six foot extender sleeves, if necessary. It is a solid workhorse, not unlike its Hyster counterpart in the fourth photo below, which is located at our smaller warehouse location, where I primarily work. Yet they are different. The second Hyster has identical controls to the first, with the forward/reverse mechanism located on the foot pedal and with similar performance in terms of lift capacity. Yet they feel difference with regard to responsiveness. It is something intrinsic to their unique usage histories and current work environments. The first hyster is used far more extensively, whereas the second is used minimally. The first gets more use in one day than the second gets in one week, or even two. Smaller warehouse. Different level of intensity. Both have value for their environments, but the requirements on them differ. Isn't this so much like churches? Small churches are not better or worse than large churches due to their size. They simply have a difference set of expectations at that point in their histories. Those of us in small churches would do well to remember that when talking about the differences. Perhaps this might be true of folks in large churches as well. Yoda was very much correct. "Size matters not." If you don't believe me, investigate the Brooklyn Tabernacle and ask yourself how such a small church can have such a large impact. They are not the only ones. So, whether large or small, God has a purpose for your church which far exceeds missionally what you are currently doing. This is true for my church. The churches in our neighborhood. Your church. Even the really, exceptionally creative and effective churches which already have made an international impact for God's glory. Yes, God would even have them increase their missional impact. While we can celebrate God's victories in the past, we should never sink into self-satisfaction, which is one portent of ministry decline. Imagine that. Notice that I said missional impact rather than membership size. The two do not always walk hand-in-hand.

The second photograph shows a Halton m500, a great smooth ride which is used at our corporate location for moving carpet and large rolls of vinyl. The forward/reverse is operated by a lever on the left hand side of the steering column. The pedals are for braking and excelerating. It does sport separate right hand controls for tilt, lift and side shift respectively. It has a three stage lift capacity, as opposed to the two Hysters which are only two stage, and thus cannot lift material as high. It reminds me of churches which are uniquely gifted and postured to make a broader community impact, not necessarily because of their size, but more often because of the giftedness of their leadership and members and the opportunity which God has deposited before them for specific purposes. Their value is not any greater than churches which do not garner as much attention, but God has given them an opportunity and responsibility to utilize their gifts in focused ways to share Jesus' love to their communities and around the world. Ask yourself, is your church being used to the fullness of potential which God has given you? Are you personally being used of God in this way? If not, why not?

You will notice that there are two Yales in the third and fifth photos, the first located at our corporate warehouse as a third backup lift, second located at another large store, with its larger six foot long forks. These two lifts are the largest in size and weight lifting capacity. They are workhorses beasts really. Unlike some of the other lifts, there is nothing subtle about these machines. They are noisy, but effective when a very large payload needs to be handled. The three and four stage lifts used for carpet are much slicker, more glamerous, and frankly more fun to drive. These two lifts are harder to drive with respect to being larger, especially within narrow spaces. The orange and white colored lift in the sixth photo is just the opposite. It is the sports car in a fleet of average workhorses. While the other lifts use eight foot long stingers for carpet, this one uses a ten foot long stinger on a four stage lift mast. It smoothly lifts payloads up to twenty feet high with flair and nuance. Forward/reverse is located on the left hand lever on the column. However, the tilt/lift are ALL on one single lever on the right hand. Only one. The gear functions diagonally. Diagonal left/up/down is tilt up or down and diagonal right up/down is lift up or down. The sideshift is on a second lever. This is something to be mastered before lifting 2,500 lbs twenty feet in the air in dim warehouse with people walking all around gawking.

Although this lift really is the favorite ride among them all, at least for me, it is also one that bears enormous responsibility due to the complex high capacity environment in which it operates and the volume of work expected. So, it also is a workhorse in its own right. It reminds me of the jealousy I sometimes perceive among people concerning churches of greater means. Yes, they may have greater means in certain respects. But with that comes greater responsibility. We would do well to think less about what others have in comparison to what we do not have. Rather, we should focus on who God is and what he is doing in our midst, rejoicing that he is working uniquely in other environments, but asking ourselves and God what might he be up to in our situations, specifically with regard to how we might respond to his heart, his mission, his purposes.

Working in all three of these environments, with their varied management styles and cultures has been a learning experience for me. It reminds me once again that the managed laborer (that would be me) transitions into being a defacto manager, just to keep the respective managers on the same page. That is to say, I have to take pains to remind them of when I am coming and going so that their competing priorities do not cause unfortunate conflicts for me or them. Likewise, I have to document everything, as I always do anyway, so that as I am working in the respective locations, I can better recall specific work related situations concerning customers, receiving records and so on. Of course, they expect me to memorize it all. But with three sites, it just isn't possible to remember every salesperson's orders on demand. Documentation helps often, but not always.

Leadership of churches would do well to remember the complex array of responsibilities placed upon their children's pastors. They are expected to be a whole lot of things to a whole lot of people. Even I, as a part-time children's pastor am on the clock when I am at the church campus on the weekend or during the week just to attend worship. The mere fact that I am present mean I am on the job and people treat me accordingly (not badly-usually-just accordingly with respect to my role), which is fine. I have learned to cope with it. I am, however, very grateful to my pastor and our congregation which has loved me, supported me, encouraged me, even to the extent of saying, we want you to get your rest and refreshment too. My church is so awesome. I have to tell you, why would I want to leave for a more financially lucrative situation when I have a church already that not only says they love me, they show it in practical ways? Why would I want to "upgrade professionally" as some have suggested I need to do, when I am living out my heart's desire missionally? The only reason I would leave is if God clearly directs me to do so. And it would be demonstrated in terms of mission, not compensation package.

Unfortunately, not every children's pastor is blessed to be in a situation like mine. It is no small surprise that so many burn out, or transition out into new churches with great frequency. Frankly, I think the general system is broken. I think church leaders and their congregations often are unreasonable in their demands on one individual. Good grief, we expect them to be creative innovators, media gurus, professional therapists to children and their parents, multi-sport athletes, multi-skilled musicians, leadership tacticians, Las Vegas quality illusionists and thespians, mediation specialists, missionaries....well, you get the idea. I realize I am overstating the case, mostly. Sort of. Or am I? With increasing complexity in so many large and multi-site congregations, it is the children's pastor's responsibility to see that these needs are met in some form. Even if one person does have all these skills, there is not enough time in the day to do them! Yet the metrics used to guage ministry success is contingent on them. Attendance, salvations, baptisms, confirmations, etc. Where it becomes problematic is when the trends track downward. Imagine that, being disciplined because of a downward trend in attendance, especially when children are dependant on their parents to bring them, or on the church to pick them up and drive them in! So, add transportation secretary to the previous list.

Hopefully this spurs some conversation, but only in a positive way. I welcome your feedback, as always.

VBS Photos Day 3

when day is done

When the day is done the stillness takes hold. All that transpired parades in review, an eclectic assortment of joys and frustrations. Weariness attends, but not overwhelmingly. Hope is preeminent. God is in control.

Soon it will be morning, early and bright. And the call to worship with a heart uninhibited by the previous day's travails will be issued. With birdsong for accompaniment, and a cool breeze as gentle percussion amid the stand of new growth near my home, my voice will lift up again in adoration.

Morning Song

I worship you Lord in the morning.
I worship you Lord in the morning.

Before the dawning of first light I lift my voice.
Before the calling of the fields I sing your praise.

I worship you Lord in the morning.
I worship you Lord in the morning.

With wind and trees in choral chant I pour out my heart.
With lilting birdsong on the breeze I declare your love.

I worship you Lord in the morning.
I worship you Lord in the morning.

Lyrics copyrighted by Glen Alan Woods

VBS Photos Week 2

They play behind the chainlink fence. A gaggle of boys and girls, large and small, young and even younger. Tonight we went over there to sign them up for VBS and bring them back. The result was 69 kids, up 31 from last week's total of 38. Granted, 4 of them decided they wanted to return home after about 15 minutes. They said it was boring. Not cool enough. Lots of peer pressure going on in that group. They tried to convince a fifth boy to join them in returning home. I looked at him and reminded him how hard he worked just to be able to attend. He finally agreed to stay. Check him out in the very bottom picture with some of his friends. He is holding the red banner.

Oh, the four that left? I spoke with them at length. They agreed that basketball camp sounds really cool. So, I am going to make sure they come for that later in August.

This is where my heart is, reaching out into the community, to kids who have little or no exposure to the gospel. Like I told one of their parents. We just want to benefit the community. Yea, we are inviting them to meet Jesus Christ. And with that, we want to give them a chance to enjoy fun, wholesome activities right where they live.

Some of them are a little jaded and rough around the edges. A few of the younger ones do not yet speak English. Most of them simply want to be loved and to have something fun to do, something different, something that takes them outside of a concrete fenced parking lot.

The awesome thing about all this is that my VBS team is so well trained, well prepared and mature, that I was able to focus on some of these kids, rather than put out proverbial fires. They rawk! Praise God for another great night. I can't wait to see what God does throughout this week and into the next few weeks.

Research Opportunity in Children's and Family Ministry

Hi everyone,

I have a research opportunity in the field of children's and family ministry. I need five children's ministry leaders to help me out. If you are interested in participating as subjects and fellow researchers in this project, please contact me asap with your name, location and church name, plus approximate church size, both entire attendance and children's attendance on a typical weekend. I will notify this list when positions are filled. Thanks!

Here are the details.

1. This is a case-study/ethnographic research study. Names of churches and participants will be closely guarded and will not appear in publicized documentation in any form, whether web or print. All personally identifiable information will be kept strictly confidential. In fact, I do not need to know the names of the people you interview in your church.

2. I intend to research the children's and family ministries of five churches, including the leaders of each ministry, plus from one to five families in each church.

3. I am seeking five children's ministry leaders. You may be either part-time or full-time, volunteer or paid. Male or female. Married or single. Your title is not as important as your role. In other words, you don't need to have a title such as children's and family minister. Nor does your church necessarily need to have a well-developed family ministry. Leaders of small churches are especially invited to apply.

4. Your church may be located either in North America, or in another part of the world, such as Europe, Australia, New Zealand, or in a Majority World country.

5. Your role will be to help me gather data concerning one to five families in your church, specifically with regard to how they function on a daily basis. It will require about four hours of your time per family. Also, I will ask you to fill out a questionaire about your church and yourself in terms of your leadership role.

6. We will communicate via email and possibly at least once on the phone, at my expense.

7. Closing date for applying for this opportunity is Thursday, July 31 at 11 pm EST.
8. Benefits to you: While I cannot afford to compensate you financially for your time and effort, I will offer you free ministry coaching/consulting via the web and by phone for one year, beginning on January 1, 2009. Phone conversations are limited to six sessions of 1/2 hour each, to be used as you need them. Normally, about once every two months works best. Emails are unlimited. Plus, if you request it, I will add you to my dissertation email list so that you may see the results of what I actually write based on the research. This keeps me accountable to you and gives you the benefit of your hard work!

9. My dissertation topic is: Praxis of Nurture and Mission in the Small Church: A Practical Theology of Children's and Family Ministry.

Again, if you are interested in participating as subjects and fellow researchers in this project, please contact me asap with your name, location and church name, plus approximate church size, both entire attendance and children's attendance on a typical weekend. I will notify this list when positions are filled. Thanks!

UPDATE

Two positions filled. Three positions remain open. Hurry, as several are considering the opportunity!

Leach Botanical Garden in Portland, Oregon

Coming soon to an obscure blog near you....

I am working on a few different blog posts for the near future. Here is the topic list:

1. Lessons from Forklifts. A metaphor for learning how to exegete the culture in which we serve, both in the church and in the community. You will even get to see photos of the actual forklifts I drive, five in total! Order your popcorn now! Online now!

2. My Doctor of Ministry Courses. The practitioners who influenced me and key points I learned from them. Online now!

3. Update on my dissertation literature review. An bibliography of what I am reading, possibly annotated, at least in part.

4. Key questions about children's and family ministry in small to mid-size churches.

5. What motivates me to do what I do. Some folks might be surprised; others, not so much. In any event, it might explain why I probably will never be employed by a church. Add butter to your popcorn for this one and buy the large size. It could be a long one!

Proudly it Waves, Old Glory

I sang the following song in a citywide choral cantata, "I Love America," years ago in Newberg, Oregon. It made quite an impression on me as an 18 year old young man. It remains one of my favorite patriotic tunes. I share here with you the lyrics penned by John W. Peterson.

"Proudly it waves, Old Glory, over the land of the free; Promise of hope and freedom, symbol of liberty. Red, white and blue are its colors; Colors both brilliant and clear. Colors with far deeper meaning than that at first may appear. Red is for blood of Patriots who have died to free us; white is for justice and government of law; Blue is for honor and faith in all we do! This is my flag; This is Old Glory, the red, white and blue."

Why I Celebrate the 4th of July

The photos below depict a large part of why I celebrate the Fourth of July. It is not about the fireworks. It isn't simply about having a day off as a holiday. It goes far deeper than that. I celebrate the Fourth of July because I love my country. I am proud to be an American, specifically a US American. I am not ashamed to wave the USA flag and sing the old songs of liberty and freedom. When I consider the price that my fellow citizens have paid so that I may worship and live in freedom in this great nation, I am proud. Not in a haughty or arrogant way. No. Not in a condescending way toward other great nations, whether they be affluent or poor. Of course not. I am proud of the USA because this nation has given its sons and daughters over and over again not only to procure and sustain our own freedom, but also to liberate the oppressed all around the world. I am proud of the USA because of our long tradition of opening our arms to the huddled masses teeming at our shores, seeking respite from lives of destitution and tyranny.

On a personal note, I am proud because three of my ancestors on my mother's side of the family, the Livingstons, signed the Declaration of Independence. Many other ancestors served in the military and also in pioneer ministry and scholarship. I am particularly proud of my grandfather on my dad's side who fought in the south pacific in WWII and of my Uncle Carl, my mom's brother, who fought in WWII in the European theater. But most of all, I am proud of my father. He was drafted at the end of the Korean War. He had been given notice to go to Korea, but the military granted him an honorable hardship discharge at the last minute. There is a story behind these events. Someday I might tell it.

Today I simply say, "Thank you, Dad. For your service. For your guidance. For the legacy you have left me and the rest of the family. The tears I shed as I visited your gravesite today were painful, but they were not without hope. They were sad, but they were not without pride in the service you gave the USA and your family. They were poignant, but only because I tarried to remember. Yes, so much to remember. Thank you."

Portland Open Bible Church Roses

Every year the roses bloom wonderfully in the front of my church's property. A few years ago, they even won a Royal Rosarians Prize for best roses. They always do a wonderful job keeping them up. So, I thought I would share the beauty with all my kind readers. Enjoy!