Dear Rose Park,

This past Saturday Sam and I took Simon and Winn to the Hope College Donut Run as a part of homecoming weekend. The Donut Run started at 8:30 Saturday morning and it promised delicious donuts at the finish line. Simon and Winn both participated in the .5k run (one lap around the football field and then finishing on the 50-yard line). They both had a great time running with friends and then dancing on the football field with powder-sugared smiles. My heart was filled with joy to see them have so much fun, but the real emotions came in the parking lot on the way back to the car.

Dear Rose Park,

When I was a senior at Hope College I lived on Lincoln Avenue not too far from the train tracks. I lived with a few friends and I can remember when we first moved in it seemed like the noise of the train was not only going to knock the house down (this perhaps says more about the house than the train) but also deafen our ears. However, when I moved out of the house some ten months later, the sound of the train became so commonplace, so much like white noise, we hardly noticed it at all.

Dear Rose Park,

From my desk, the view out of my window is quite narrow; due to the windows being a bit higher and my desk sitting at an angle a majority of my view are the tops of trees and the sky. However, if I were to get up from my desk and stand next to the window, I can see the full beauty of the trees, the birds flying in the sky, a few cars driving down Rose Park Drive, and a few dog-walkers making their way through the neighborhood. When we stand at a distance our view can be quite narrow, but when we come closer our view grows. This truth not only applies to our personal relationships but also our relationship with the Word of God.

Dear Rose Park,

This coming Sunday my wife, Sam, will be participating in the 44th running of the Chicago Marathon. She’ll join the nearly 40,000 other runners as they journey through the streets of downtown Chicago; beginning in Grant Park, heading north to Sheridan and Broadway, then making their way south and west towards the United Center, going through Little Italy and Pilsen, until they finally head north on Michigan Avenue to finish back at Grant Park where with any luck Sam will see Simon, Winn and I with a big smile.

Dear Rose Park,

Typically when we hear or read the word vow we think of a wedding. Images of a bride and groom standing at the altar making promises to love and care for one another in sickness and in health are conjured in our mind. However, vows are not limited to merely a wedding. As a pastor, I made vows when I was ordained; we made vows together when I was installed at Rose Park. This coming Sunday, we’ll make vows again as we welcome new members to Rose Park.

Dear Rose Park,

This past Thursday I drove to Grand Rapids to the regional headquarters of the Reformed Church in America for a meeting entitled The Upper Room. The intent of this gathering was to invite pastors and church leaders to engage in conversation, ask questions, and overall be curious as it relates to the future of the Church. I recognized some familiar faces and even sat next to two pastors whom I went to seminary. After a few cups of coffee and some brief introductions, our host began the conversation.

Dear Rose Park,

My grandparents lived on Circlewood Drive in Portage Michigan. I can remember pulling up to their house and seeing their beautifully manicured lawn, the flagpole that stood outside, and the kissing Dutch boy and Dutch girl lawn ornaments. I can remember how my Grandma made scrambled eggs in the microwave and how my brothers and I thought this was a delicacy. I can remember sitting around their table and hearing my Grandpa read a devotion and pray. Grandma passed away in 2007 and Grandpa passed away in 2019, but these images and memories will never go away.

Dear Rose Park,

This past weekend my brother and his family were in town. Kyle is my middle brother; he’s much smarter and far more talented than my brother Matt and I combined. Kyle and his wife Ashley live in Omaha, NE with their two daughters Hazel and Pearl. On Sunday evening, after playing at the park on 6th street near downtown Holland, we all ventured over to one of my favorite places, City Vu, for dinner.

Dear Rose Park,

As I turned off my microphone this past Sunday following worship, Alicia Kramer and her mom Mary Perez approached me with big smiles and a very old looking booklet. It turns out, as they were doing some cleaning around the house they found the dedication folder for Rose Park. Dated July 5-12, 1959, this folder shows the various services that were held to dedicate the sanctuary. As I was reading through it and seeing some of the pictures, I was struck by one of the dates.

Dear Rose Park,

Last week Friday, our beloved Jim Boeve fell on his bicycle and broke his ankle. His better half Vonnie is taking care of him and Jim is doing well in his recovery and if you’ve talked with him, then you know he’s certainly maintaining his sense of humor. When I told Simon and Winnie that Mr. Jim got hurt they were very concerned and immediately set out to make him ‘get-well soon’ cards.