Best Institution of Higher Learning….

Newport, Pennsylvania is nestled in the mountains about 30 miles northwest of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The people are real, the community is close, and the education I received from the congregation in Newport as a minister was first class.

After finishing seminary in 1984 my family of four moved from New Jersey back to my home state and served a group of people who would do anything for you. Sure, we had our struggles and disagreements. The best advice I got though, was from the local funeral director and furniture store owner.

David Myers was a living legend in Perry County. After moving into the parsonage and getting adjusted, a parishioner advised me to visit Dave Myers in the furniture store and introduce myself.

Opening the glass door, a buzzer rang and an older man with thinning hair and half glasses propped on his forehead turned and greeted me. “What can I help you with?” he asked. After explaining my mission in visiting he kicked back in his chair and gave me the story he gave to everyone…..I was conceived, born, and work in this very place…..the furniture store was out front and the funeral home was out back.

For some reason, he directed the funeral of people who had no faith background to the church I served. In two years I did over 40 funerals with only tow being members of the congregation. Dave was crusty and a bit rough, yet he was smart.

Dave asked me during the initial encounter, “Where did you get your education?” After telling him where I went to seminary, he stated emphatically, “Wrong! You are going to get your education here!!” No truer words were ever uttered!

His perspective and experience in dealing with people should have been packaged into an educational program. While he came across rough and insensitive, Dave was far from it….when I needed furniture for the home, beds for my kids, a desk for my daughter, and carpet for the house….he provided it freely only saying, “Pay me when you get the money.”

Dave believe in caring for the community. He performed numerous funerals for the disadvantaged who were more or less laid to rest in fancy cardboard caskets. Arriving early as I normally I did for services he would show me all the flowers sent to the family and comment in a cussing kind of way, “These people don’t need flowers, they need money!!” Dave was practical.

I indeed got a first class education at the first church I served in Newport, Pennsylvania!! Thanks Dr. Dave for being my instructor!!!