A Message from Bob Henderson: March 4, 2022

Dear friends:    Among treasured friendships, few are richer than one I’ve enjoyed with David Partington. David began his career in church music, returned mid-career to seminary, and has enjoyed a long and fruitful ministry. Upon his retirement, he said, “I’ll now be a polished arrow in God’s quiver!” which is, to my sensibilities, a sublime view of retirement.     In the summer of 1990, David commissioned Nalini Marcia Jayasuriya of Sri Lanka to depict in art a single verse from the Bible:    “So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak.” Genesis 32:24.    David hung it in his office, and I contemplated it regularly.

There’s substantial angst in Jacob’s face and counterbalancing serenity in the face of the one he wrestles. The swirling struggle for a blessing is almost palpable, as is the contemplative gaze of the ‘angel’ toward something beyond. It’s clear that the angel can withstand all Jacob has to offer because the figure is centered. It’s a good image for the practice of ministry as well as the journey of life.    We’ll explore this story, focusing on this passage, as we launch our Lenten series: “Wrestling with God:  Finding Faith” this week. Come, and bring a friend.    Warmly,

P.S. You can see this painting in-person at Union Seminary’s Charlotte Campus Art Dedication “Epiphanies of Beauty” and hear from David Partington at 7:00 pm on April 26th.

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