Posted June 9, 2008

Greetings to my beloved in Christ at Redeemer. The sabbatical time is going so very well for me. I have lost track of what day of the week it is. That’s a good indicator. Today, June 9, the Feast of Saint Barnabas, is the anniversary of my ordination to the priesthood. And what I am keeping in my heart is all of you and our life together in Christ.

Before I left for Lithuania, we traveled to Boston to see Judy’s family and to meet our newest nephew, Owen. He was born in late April. We visited with Judy’s parents and I took George out for lunch. He has been a father figure in my life and now suffers greatly from Parkinson’s. But with patience and a walker, we had a grand time together. The new baby was wonderful. It was hard explaining to Judy’s mom that she now has a grandson (Owen) who is younger than her great grandson (Cooper).

After being home from Europe for more than a week, I am reflecting on the experience in Lithuania. In many ways it exceeded my expectations. I had hoped to learn more about my grandmother and her family. And this was accomplished.

Family in NYC - Left to right:
Sister Edith, Niece Nicole, Paul, Cousin Jeanine, Judy, Elizabeth, Brother in law Ozzie

The day before I left for Lithuania, I gathered with my extended family in New York, and we shared what we knew and what photos and documents we had. My sister, her husband, their two daughters and a first cousin were with Judy, Elizabeth and me for the visit. I took the materials with me and it was helpful. The research uncovered for me the traditional life of a Jewish shtetl at the turn of the last century in Kovno. There were visits to old neighborhoods and sites where synagogues and community centers had once been. There were historic displays with photos, art and writings from the time. And I even had on old family post card from 1900 which my guide could translate from Russian Cyrillic script. It turns out it was addressed to my grandfather. There is also a mysterious photograph of the family when my grandmother was a little girl. All are gathered behind a corpse in a coffin and arranged as a portrait. My guide helped me to learn about the Jewish burial customs of the time, and why such a photo would have been made. I learned of a pogrom in the area in 1905, which probably precipitated my grandmother’s decision to leave the country by herself at age 16 and come to the U.S. There is more. I definitely had a wonderful opportunity to connect with my roots.

It was also an extraordinary experience for me to be in a country that was behind the Iron Curtain. I learned so much about life under Soviet occupation. I visited a Genocide Museum which is located in an old KGB building in which prisoners were interrogated, imprisoned and executed. I was able to stand in the execution chamber.

Soviet Era Art

It was amazing to me to hear my two guides reflect that life in Lithuania today is the best it has ever been in its entire history.

Baltic Sea

While I was in Lithuania, my newest grandson arrived early. Graham Spencer Tunkle was born on May 21. I will meet him for the first time on June 11. What a blessing! And his older brother, Cooper, will turn two on June 27th, so he will be such fun to play with!

Graham Spencer Tunkle

Meanwhile, back home here in between things, I have the great fortune of spending time with Elizabeth. She is home from the Peace Corps due to medical challenges, and we are uncertain about her continued service in the Corps. But for now, we can spend time together and I can hear so many stories about Africa.

I think of you and Redeemer often. It is good to step back and gain a renewed perspective on ministry. Please remember me in your prayers, as I do for you in mine. We will share much together in the fall.

Peace in Christ,

Paul+