Jesus and Ping Pong

Kay and I worked with a group of about sixty youth in the summer of 1972. Some of the young people could be described as mainstream. They came from stable homes with parents who kept up with their child’s schedules and interests, and they had been nurtured in faith and life of the church. A significant number of the young people, however, came from broken homes, had minor drug violations and were not doing well in school. Church was new to them. On the evenings we gathered on the church campus, at least one city policeman was always parked next to a curb nearby. We were always under observation. The leadership of First Presbyterian Church of Inverness was supportive with two qualifications. First, any dealing or use of drugs would necessitate their going home. Second, there was the requirement that they treat one another as they would want others to treat them.

Listening to a radio broadcast one night in the Fellowship Hall we heard a report about a youth group that had broken the Guiness World Record in table tennis (ping pong.) All these years later, I can’t remember what the record was for consecutive days and non-stop play, but I do remember the conversation that followed. An hour was invested exploring the possibility of our group breaking the record. The idea gained momentum. On the 18th of July, the first match was played. Kay and I divided the group into foursomes. Each foursome was responsible for a four hour shift. Kay was working the summer as a teller at a local bank and would join us in the evenings in the Fellowship Hall where the matches were played  For the first week, I would drive to respective homes scattered throughout the community at 10:00 pm, 2:00 am and 6:00 am picking up youth and drive to the church campus. The first three days were hard.

Local law enforcement warmed up to the youth. Instead of sitting in a patrol car, they started stopping by in the middle of the night for a cup of coffee and doughnuts. Meaningful relationships were started. It was a sight to behold. Youth started bringing their sleeping bags. Adult chaperones would spend the night, too. Restaurants and church families delivered tons of food. Before all was said and done, the group played over 6,000 matches, broke 7 paddles, and used up over one hundred ping pong balls. We also played through two Sunday morning worship services conducted in the sanctuary, two funerals and one wedding. There were two Saturday night dances as well. Kids from the community started showing up. Several of the young fellas played the guitar and I think there was a set of drums. Boys and girls danced the night away as the table tennis matches continued in the middle of the floor. Talk about wild. Kay has preserved the newspaper clippings at home, one in particular when the city mayor, on behalf of the City Council presented a plaque in honor of our endeavor.

Everyone, youth and adults alike, were having such great fun, but it all came to a screeching halt following the Sunday worship service on August 5 when after church, Kay drove me to the local Greyhound bus station where we embraced, kissed and said our goodbyes. As I boarded and took my seat, I caught one last glimpse of the prettiest girl in the world. Several hours later, I disembarked in Jacksonville, FL where I would raise my hand the next day with a group of young lads from around Central Florida and together we promised to defend the Constitution of the United States of America. The conflict in Southeast Asia was winding down but still ongoing and I had made the decisionI to enlist in the US Navy. I was on the way to San Diego, CA for Recruit Training with no regrets. Our youth group had broken a world record (that held for less than a year) and Kay had said, “Yes” when I asked her if she would marry me. As I look back, I will always cherish the memories from the summer of 1972.

The gospel lesson for this Sunday comes from the gospel of Luke. The story is told about the time when two disciples were leaving Jerusalem for a seven mile walk to Emmaus. They were confused and saddened by recent events. Their friend and teacher Jesus had been crucified, dead and buried. Jerusalem was not a good place to be. Somewhere along the walk, the two disciples were joined by a stranger. The three of them enjoyed conversation. There was discussion about what happened in Jerusalem. When they reached Emmaus, the stranger went ahead of them but was encouraged to stay and break bread, which he did. The gospel tells us that when the stranger blessed the bread, broke it and gave pieces of the loaf to them, their eyes were opened and they recognized him. Suddenly, Jesus vanished.

As we continue to monitor the coronavirus, adhere to the recommendations of our public and government officials, resist frustration that we are in the spot that we are in, let us remember that our liturgical journey continues in the season of Eastertide. Like the two disciples walking to Emmaus, there are things in life that befuddle and sadden us, but the Good News of the Gospel declares that the risen Christ is never far away. With that said, you know what I think happened for all the kids who found themselves on the campus of First Presbyterian playing ping pong, reading Scripture, sharing in Evening Prayer, dancing and poking fun at each other, breaking bread and eating? Forty eight years ago, these young people, many of them for the first time, experienced the grace of Christian community by way of acceptance, love and friendship. But there was something else they experienced that was a game changer (or at least that has been my fervent prayer through the years.) A stranger was always in our midst and before all was said and done, their eyes and hearts were opened. The risen Jesus shared his company and also his friendship. Another discovery was made, too. Not all Christians are judgmental or condescending. Some of us have learned to accept other people for who they are. The young people felt that and they were grateful. And there was one last discovery. Guess what it was? All those young people discovered that church is not a bad place to be!

Good night, friends. You remain in my heart and in my prayers. We are in this together. As a popular hymn goes, may God be with you ’till we meet again. In Christ +

—
Steve Keeler, Pastor

www.seaislandpresbyterian.org

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