Glory Days and Duck Creek Nights

From The Pastor’s Desk—

The summer between 9th and 10th grade, my family took a trip to upstate New York to see Niagara Falls and to visit relatives we didn’t often have a chance to see. As we were getting ready for the trip, I decided to buy a copy of Bruce Springsteen’s “Born in the USA” album. Since no one else in my family shared my musical tastes, “Born…” became my personal soundtrack on that trip, playing through my headphones as we traveled past highways and small towns, state fairs and diners advertising the state’s best blueberry pie. Even now, hearing “Glory Days” or “My Hometown” conjures up images from that trip.

Years later, I would find myself serving as pastor of the First Baptist Church of Freehold, New Jersey; the town that Springsteen chose to immortalize in “My Hometown”. So many of my parishioners had a story to tell: seeing the Castiles (Bruce’s first band) during high school. going to early shows at the Stone Pony in Asbury Park, or running into Bruce at Jersey Freeze ice cream. One member had even briefly rented Springsteen’s parents and apartment, and was given a signed copy of “Greetings From Asbury Park” as a thank you. (Jack later sold the album for $5 at a yard sale, not realizing what a big deal his former tenant had become) 

From the back deck of the parsonage, if the wind is right we can hear bands playing down at the Pearl. At least once a week, notes from a Springsteen song will come drifting across the water of Duck Creek. Sometimes they make me think of that trip through New York, other times they will remind me of someone or something in Freehold; every so often, I wonder if in the future hearing those songs will remind me of this deck, of this town.

Summer is a time of cherished memories, especially in a town such as this: parades and ball games, beaches and barbecues, the drive-in and ice cream. When we call these moments to mind, we find that they are woven in and through the fabric of our lives, tying us into our past, and shaping us for the present. May this summer be a joyful time for each one of you, and as you celebrate with family and friends, may you take a moment to offer a prayer of thanks for all of the magical and mundane things that make Wellfleet our home.

Blessings,

—Pastor Jon