Rev. John Stephen Mitchell

23 English cricket sweaters! What's up with that? Well, it has to do with being a bit of a broken person who is all too easily influenced by getting things one does not really need, while others find it difficult to simply get by. The point, for me is that it has taken cancer to bring it close to home. My home, I grew up in Melrose Massachusetts on Woodland Ave, in a huge post-Victorian home on a corner lot on top of a large hill. A kind of Norman Rockwell existence, full of nostalgic images of green lawns, beech trees, snow covered banks, huge piles of leaves, burn piles, and all kinds of environmental violations. But then who knew? No one. Truth be told I did not know much and wasted time in school. Not much of a student, though I loved Shakespeare, Sir Walter Scott, the Lake Poets, and driving that big Oldsmobile 98 convertible to Nahant Beach in the 'Summer'. And there was always Maine beckoning our family to "vacationland", L. L. Bean, lobster bakes, sailing, and Spruce Point Inn. A privileged childhood to say the least. Not that I was aware of it. The Vietnam War changed so many things in our lives, I purchased an old Sea Captain's house in Blue Hill, Maine, took any jobs I could find, and restored it. It is now a fancy restaurant. Still my life was not what it could be. I had grown up in Church; the experience a 'mile wide and an inch deep'. Thankfully, Christmas Day 1975 a deeply powerful conversion experience brought me to my knees, and I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. It was, and will always be, a defining influence in my life and I am grateful to the Episcopal Church for opening wide its doors to me. I felt "called" to explore ordination, not having gone to college, it was a daunting endeavor. I went to a small Christian College to see if I would or could study. Then on to Yale and Oxford! Ordination 1985. Who knew? The one thing I did know is not to take myself too seriously, and place all my trust, love, hope, and faith in Jesus. And He has blessed me beyond measure! Three wonderful children, and I am so proud of each and every one of them. The untimely and horrific death of my boy Wesley 20 years ago still haunts me, though I look with peace to reuniting with him. My daughters Chalice & Christine are constant gifts, and I am now a grandfather-Ojii San. My wife Jane is beyond an incredible and indispensable gift from God. In fact, Jane is a direct answer to prayer. When I told my dear friends Martin and Lady Eliza Mays-Smith about Jane they said I could not marry her without their approval. So off to England and Chaddleworth House. The response? Lady Eliza, "Well done" and Martin, "Good choice". In fact, Martin so loved and respected Jane that he arranged from his death bed for us to come and spend many days with Lady Eliza after his passing. Dear friends to say the least. Over these many long years we have been blessed by so many generous, kind, and loving people. When asked about this, I simply say they are committed Christians, deeply spiritual, highly successful, humble, generous to a fault, trustworthy, loyal, faithful, honorable, followers of Jesus. I will always be grateful to one and all, especially for our being selected by her Majesty the Queen to the Sovereign Order of St. John-the Hospitallers. Thank you, Sir William and Lady Jane Told for your sponsorship. The prayer St. Freddy wrote for me is a treasure. So, 23 treasured English cricket sweaters?! I did not need them, but they were sure fun to wear. Let me leave you with a final note of advice from Athenaeus: "Old wood burns best, old wine to drink, old friends to trust, and old authors to read." Make sure you read lots of books but live in the Bible. A Celebration of Life will be held at 11 AM on Saturday, August 28 at Zion Episcopal Church, 5167 Main Street, Manchester, Vermont 05255. Services can be viewed via Zoom on the church's website.