Q: How are you and Susanne doing during this time of COVID-19?
Susanne and I are extremely fortunate, and we confess that we have been able to enjoy the prolonged social isolation. I’ve been reading more Puritan literature and a biography of John Newton, while Susanne has been painting constantly and reading one of my own personal favorites, Evangelical Theology by A. A. Hodge. We’ve been tending our flower garden, and have cultivated another sprawling vegetable garden with our daughter, June, which is flourishing in her own backyard.
Never in our lives have we been granted such an extended length of time together, and alone, for so long. When we were both young, with children and a busy legal career, there never seemed to be enough time. It is only now, with enforced isolation, that we have both been afforded the space to reflect, rejoice and give thanks for the wonderful things God has done for us.
We can’t begin to describe how sweet the mercy of Christ has been to us, our children, grandchildren and friends, and most especially our friends at LBC. We have loved “virtual worship,” although we desperately miss the opportunity to gather together and fellowship with the saints.
Q: Many of us are looking to gather again to celebrate the Lord’s Supper. What are your thoughts on the value and benefit of waiting until we gather in person to serve communion?
Last week, as we were approaching the month of May, Susanne and I were reminded of the fact that we as a Church would miss the Lord’s Supper. We look forward to the first Sunday of the month, which is of course ordinarily our opportunity to participate in this sacrament together, and reflect on the sacrifice of Christ as a community. This caused us to reflect further, and consider the true purpose of Communion.
When we celebrate the Lord’s Supper, each person has the privilege of individually “communing” with Christ. Christ in His full divinity and humanity is “present” with us, in and through the bread and wine. As we partake of His Supper, we “feast” on Him, and He in turn blesses us with His presence. It is a means of grace not only to, but also for us.
I was struck while reading 1 Corinthians 11 by a footnote in the Reformation Study Bible, which states that “the Lord’s Supper has a past reference to Christ’s death...it has a present reference to our corporate participation in Him through faith… [and] it has a future reference in that it is a pledge of His return”.
When we are together, we celebrate as a community of believers. When Jesus inaugurated His Supper, He distributed the bread and cup to His disciples so that they would partake together of the loaf and cup. This is our intention, and why we continue to practice this sacrament at Lake Baldwin Church as well. It is also representative of the idea that we are all a part of the “body” of the Lord Jesus Christ (I Cor: 12:27) and one with Him and with the Father (John 17: 20-23).
These are difficult and trying times for each of us in so many different ways, and we grieve the loss of celebrating our Lord’s special meal together as we’ve grown accustomed to doing. Though we are separated from each other physically, let us use this time apart to heighten our anticipation for when we are able to come together again, to celebrate His Supper as a family and as the body of Christ; namely, the Church.
Richard and Susanne have been married for almost 57 years. They spent the first 3 years of their marriage in Atlanta where Richard attended Emory law school and Susanne paid his way while working in Speech Therapy! They spent the next 33 years living on Lookout Mountain near Chattanooga, TN where Richard practiced law. In 1999 they moved to Orlando to become part of some investment companies sponsored by CNL. After CNL sold the companies, Richard joined an Orlando start-up devoted to raising capital through a special program (EB-5) sponsored by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service. He continues today as President of that group.
While in Chattanooga they became active helping found Chattanooga Christian School. Richard served as a board member with a number of Christian organizations, including for many years, the Boards of Covenant College and Ligonier Ministries. He was ordained an Elder in the Lookout Mountain Presbyterian Church in 1975. He served as Moderator of the PCA for the 21st General Assembly and currently serves as an Elder at LBC.
Susanne and Richard have three children and four grandchildren: their daughter June Huggins (a member of LBC) is the mother of two grown daughters, Allie and Sarah; Richard, Jr., lives with his wife and two boys, Ryan and Alan in Lake Oswego, OR and Jennifer Hostetter lives in Orlando and is an Adjunct Professor in the Rosen School of Hospitality at UCF.
Susanne enjoys painting, reading and gardening, particularly rooting new plants from the wide variety in their yard. Richard loves reading and golf and laboring for Susanne in the garden!!
Our own stories are powerful, and even more so once shared. As Fred Rogers put it, "never underestimate the impact that your mere existence can have on another human being."
Here with Voices, you'll have the chance to read stories from various members of our church family, each chronicling what it feels and looks like now that so many things have changed. If you’d like to comment or learn more about this series, you can reach out to us at hello@lakebaldwinchurch.com.