A Roth Family Christmas Letter 1996

 

Sponsored in part by a grant from the U.S. Postal Service ("Lick It, Stick It, and Forget It") and by Readers Like You

Greetings from the Great White North! We got ten inches of snow a week or so before Thanksgiving, and I think it's here to stay. But that's okay, because so are we!

Hold your breath...this will be as painless as possible. (But most of you actually like getting a yearly update, don't you?)

Ooooh...a big breakthrough for our 1 1/2-year-old mutt, Charky (or Charkey, or Charkie; we haven't standardized the spelling yet). The Gray Ghost now knows how to beg. (We're thinking of having him work a busy corner in St. Paul, but he doesn't know how to "stay.")

Kelly is 7, in 2nd grade, and loves it when Daddy can go on a field trip with her or come to school and help make gingerbread houses. (Daddy gained 2.7 pounds on that last bit of community involvement.)

Curtis will turn 10 in January, and he's doing great (of course) in 4th grade. He's had a series of solos and speaking parts in school and church musicals. He really shines. (Memory check: did we tell you last year that Dewey baptized Curtis in November?)

The newest teenager in the house, Shonda, turned 13 in February. Her year involved another change of schools for 8th grade because of some boundary shifting by the school district, but she is doing SWELL at adjusting...again! Shonda also changed from fluting in band to singing in choir and loves it. And the biggest change of all came in September when Shonda made her OWN commitment to Christ and was baptized into him on Angel's birthday!

Our Junior, Angel, is now 16, but hasn't gone in for her driver's test as of this writing. Guess she's too busy earning A's in all her classes...including the college-level ones. (Yikes! I used the "C" word!) Her silky-smooth singing voice continues to be used in Fresh Faith (church's teen choir) and other special music for worship.

Debbie is closer to 40 than 30 and has had a great year. She was able to turn some negative experiences of her past into a well-received and very helpful speaking engagement at our church's Ladies' Retreat in October. It went so well that one of the ladies is working on getting Debbie to do a presentation at a convention in Texas next year. The house cleaning "business" is going well, too. Actually, too well. Debbie is cutting back a few customers in an attempt to save her knees, her wrist, and her sanity.

Dewey is enjoying his last year in the 30's as he continues to serve as Youth & Worship Minister at Valley Christian Church. This year saw an exciting revival of purpose and focus that led to some totally awesome (dude) changes in the way youth stuph is done around here. Also, if you have access to the weekly publication, Christian Standard, be looking for a humor article about church secretaries. ("A Lesson in Species Identification")

Oh yeah ... almost forgot ... Dewey, Debbie, and Angel took a teeny-weeny, little trip to Panama on a mission trip this summer. What a great experience! And what a thrill to introduce Angel to our friends down there!

*  *  *  *  *  *  *

Our wish for you this Christmas is that you sense the warmth of our feelings for you, even though this may very well be the only communication you've received from us all year. God has given a richness to our lives because of knowing you.

All things are continuing to "work out for the good, for those who love God."

HAVE A MERRY, JOYOUS, BLESSED CHRISTMAS!

A Roth Family Christmas

 

1995 Christmas Letter from
16715 Gannon Ave W
Rosemount MN 55068

WHAT!? Another address change? Yes, but it's a good change. God has blessed us with being able to move into a house of our very own on May 23rd! We've gone from handing a ton of money to a landlord to handing a ton of money to a bank. Ah ... the privileges of home ownership! Seriously, it's a really nice place with lots of room for the youth group and VISITORS (hint, hint).

Dewey continues to be grateful for the honor of serving with the church here. There are so many things that are just so ... so ... so right about it. He's been through a kind of culture shock (The joke around here is that if he hears the word "paradigm" one more time, he's going to be sick in a major way. Every once in a while, Dewey's office mate will leave two ten-cent pieces on his desk just to see what happens.) that gets him feeling inadequate at times, but he could use a little humility! Of course, the other area of inadequacy is not having a landlord that's responsible for house maintenance. It's a good thing Debbie is so handy at fixing things.

Speaking of Debbie, she has officially said "goodbye" to selling Tupperware and "hello" to a few nights at home. She helps us cover the house payment by cleaning seven houses and still keeps ours looking good, too! As you can imagine, she loves thinking up ways to make the new house a home. But that's not all! Debbie teaches the 1st graders during our 2nd worship service each week and also takes a turn with one of the three worship-leading teams.

Angel is a 15-year-old sophomore doing absolutely GREAT in two or three college prep/college-level courses. (Academic scholarships, here we come!?) She's cheerleading for JV football and basketball, singing up a storm, and keeping a guy named Butch interested. In her spare time, she eats and sleeps.

Shonda is 12 and in 7th grade. She got to join the church's teen choir this fall and likes it a lot. She still likes hugs from Daddy and stuffed animals, but is showing a disturbing (for Daddy) interest in ... (how should I say it?) ... a certain young person of the male gender. Nothing serious, but changes are happening. She's our tender-hearted artist and is continuing to improve on the flute.

With the move to the new house, Curtis (turning 9 in January) had to switch schools, but one of the three 3rd-grade teachers at his new school is our preacher's wife. That helped make the change bearable. (Come to think of it, Curtis has been in a different school for each year of his scholastic career. What a trooper! Unless they change the division lines, this should be the last change until middle school.) We need to find a gymnastics program for Curtis. He can balance and flip like Bart Conner. Between that and his ability to design costumes for playing "street rat," we think C.E. is pretty talented.

Kelly will be 7 in February and is enjoying 1st grade. She's reading just great and shares Shonda's and Curtis' artistic flair. The big news today is that she has a tooth that's "wiggly." Kelly always has some "good news of the day" to share around the supper table.

Charky, a puppy of undefinable origins, is the newest addition to our family. We adopted him when he was flea-bit, ticked off, and swollen-bellied and he shows his gratitude for our graciousness by digging through the garbage when we're gone. Charky looks kind of like a small seal with ears and four legs. (Side chuckle: Angel had the idea of naming him "Kitty." Just picture it and laugh! "Here, Kitty!")

*  *  *  *  *  *  *

As we contemplate our blessings, please know that you are counted in that list. We hope your Christmas is a special time for you ... filled with smiles, hugs, hot chocolate, and the warmth of life on this side of the manger.

In His grip,

Destroy the Invaders! Brownstown Diary January 1992

 

[In September 2023, I ran across a journal of mine from my days as youth minister with Brownstown (IN) Christian Church. The following beginning of a short story, written in spurts from October 6, 1991 to January 23, 1992, was written as a way to process some conflict happening at the church focusing on the "kind of people" my youth ministry was attracting to our congregation.]

"Destroy the invaders!"

The greasy, too-high-pitched voice of Lord Grane, High Commander of the Planetary Forces for Peace, bounced off the back wall of the council chamber.

After an uncomfortable silence, Lt. Thirm ventured, "Uh, sir...with all due respect, it may not be in the best interests of the PFP to launch an all-out attack without considering --"

"Don't give me excuses! I decide what the Forces' best interests are, and we cannot let a minor gang of star-hopping gypsies upset the economic and social balance that we have so recently achieved!"

The young officer tried once more: "But High Commander..."

The words had barely begun to form in his mind when the deep-green-gloved finger of Lord Grane pressed a release button that resulted in the evaporation of the floor beneath Lt. Thirm's seat, sending him spiraling into the wispy-clouded sky below the floating fortress.

The forehead of the High Commander lifted to reveal his icy stare. "Any other dissenters?"

Yewed Htor had been witnessing the meeting from his normal vantage point three seats away from Lord Grane's right side. This was not the first time he had seen the Commander commandeer compliance through coercion. Something cracked open with Htor, and he stood to speak.

"High Commander Grane...respected council members...as Second Assistant morale Captain --"

Lord Grane cut him off. "As Second Assistant Morale Captain, you have very little to say about this matter."

"In that case," returned the younger officer, "it won't take much of your time to hear me out."

"Now see here..."

"Let the man talk!" It was the deep voice of the Forces' past commander and strategic touchstone, Nor Snilloc.

Lord Grane demurred. "Oh, very well."

"Thank you. As you know, the Planetary Forces for Peace have a rich history. We were formed as an outgrowth of a few men's dogged determination to see the whole globe live as one...with Truth as a watchword and love as an umbrella. And from the genesis of our endeavors, it has been a goal to not only include all higher life forms of our planet but to become a blessing  -  a shining beacon  -  to all star systems everywhere; to see our watchword and umbrella both enthuse and protect every living thing.

"Why then would we want to exclude these newcomers?"

Memories of "Snoopy!!!"

 

The musical was Snoopy!!!, a lesser-known follow-up to You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown, produced by Jackson County Community Theater, in a small, storefront former movie theater in Brownstown, Indiana, August 16-24, 1991. I was awarded a trophy for Best Actor in a Lead Role because of my work as Snoopy.

My bio: DEWEY ROTH was transplanted to Brownstown in January of 1990, when he became the youth minister at the Brownstown Christian Church. While this is his first production with JCCT, Dewey is no stranger to local theatre. His previous credits, in the Ft. Wayne area, include the Danny Kaye role in Inspector General, the Scarecrow in The Wizard of Oz, Fagin in Oliver, Jeffery in Godspell, and many others.

"Thank you for all your time, patience, and talent with the show. I appreciate the sacrifices you made in making this show work. Hope you remain involved in the theatre for years to come. It's been great getting to know you and your family. Break a leg!

David "Earl" [the director]

P.S. One lady thought you were in school.

It's a big statement about my youth ministry workload at Brownstown for me to have been able to be involved in a theater production AND be a youth minister. This was the ONLY time in over 14 years when that ever happened. Having a member of the youth group in the cast probably made it a little more acceptable.

Brownstown Diary, January 1990

 [In September of 2023, I came across an old journal of mine from when I first moved to Brownstown, Indiana to begin my second youth ministry position. It's interesting to read how I waffled from inspiration to discouragement and back again.]

7 Sunday  -  Congregational Vote @ Brownstown. 100% acceptance

10 Wednesday  -  Farewell Fellowship Meal @ Cedar Creek

12 Friday  -  Moving Day: Bob Link drove his truck. I can't really say how many people helped us get moved into the house! I just kept chucking the stuff out of the truck, and they kept carrying it into the house (usually the basement). Debbie got curtains up before we went to bed. Chili supper @ the church for all the movers.

13 Saturday  -  Unpack, unpack, unpack

15 Monday  -  Got the girls into Brownstown Elementary. Opened checking & savings accounts @ People's Bank. And in the office...unpack, unpack, unpack. I wonder how long it will take to learn how things operate around here? * KD, secretary, is very helpful. GM, preacher, wasn't in the office all day. Does he really want me here? Lord, defeat these feelings of disappointment and distrust within me RE GM. Brownstown obviously needs some spark, and I really think they want it, too! "Let your light so shine before men..."

16 Tuesday  -  Yes, I do have a problem with church leaders (elders) not coming to Sun. PM worship. Lord, help me not to be judgmental, but an optimistic, upbeat, positive spark in the life of BCC!

17 Wednesday  -  Went home 2:30ish and laid down.

18 Thursday  -  Spent my first day off with a version of the flu that made me achey in the head and back with no appetite, etc. Felt okay by evening.

19 Friday-21 Sunday  -  What a weekend! We rushed Kelly to the hospital in Seymour Friday morning so Dr. Gallagher could do a spinal tap to check for meningitis...negative. Kelly has been in the hospital ever since though, getting re-hydrated through IV and working through whatever viral infection she has that's causing the fever. * The church people are really being great through all this. So many offers of help with the kids, laundry, sitting with Kelly...whatever. They want to be used! * Lord, help me to keep it all together. And strengthen Debbie to do that, too. And may I somehow start getting things moving as far as the church is concerned, too?

22 Monday  -  Kelly's IV may come out tomorrow morning, and then they'll keep her for 24 hours to ensure her temp will stay put. * What did I accomplish today? Ate too much at a ministers' breakfast. Found some Plasti-tac squirreled away in the corner of a closet in the church building. Put up the rest of my wall things in the office. Started sorting through the paper stuff from my briefcases and the move, etc. Debbie, I miss you!

23 Tuesday  -  Life sure would be hard w/o Debbie. Yeah, I'd get used to it and be able to work out a routine and rhythm for getting all the "stuff" of life accomplished, but Curtis & Kelly would be raised by someone who's paid to do it, and Angel & Shonda would have to become much older than their years much faster than they ought. And I would be a lonesome man w/o much reason to do anything.

24 Wednesday  -  Brought Kelly home from the hospital today! Shonda stayed home from school, but she'll be fine tomorrow. * Did the community storywriting thing tonight in Youth Hour. Went over GREAT!

25 Thursday  -  Am I devoted to doing youth ministry here for a while? Or am I here because it was the thing that came along? Lord, destroy these seeds of doubt and let me attack Brownstown with your Holy Fury, bringing the forces of Satan to their trembling, apathetic knees!

26 Friday-28 Sunday  -  Winter Weekend @ CBC $27. Really good weekend with Penny, Lori, Scott, Justin, and Joe. Adult sponsors: John Spurgeon & Barbie Gaiter

29 Monday  -  Experienced my first board meeting tonight. A lot of committees aren't doing anything. And there was a lot of discussion about a "non-proposal" by the elders RE new structure for church leadership. No decision. * Debbie is talking to her mom on the phone right now (9:26 pm) Blah, blah, blah... * Moses (our new puppy) almost got given back this morning, but it looks like Curtis & Kelly are going to warm up to him after all, and he may actually get housebroken and flea-freed.

30 Tuesday  -  Major flu day for Debbie. You know, I am so lucky/blessed to have a job that's flexible enough to let me help at home at times like these. * Today, the "stuff" started to come to light. Expectations started to surface. Personality conflicts among the members are showing up. Lord help me live up to Your expectations and to be a peacemaker and initiator of dreams...

Cincinnati Bible College Career at a Glance

 

Call this an effort to digitize some paper records and declutter my home office.

Memories of "The Inspector General"

 

The Inspector General was eventually turned into a movie musical starring Danny Kaye, but I was in First Presbyterian Theater's production of the original play by Nikolai Gogol...even though I DID have Danny Kaye's role, Ivan Alexandrovitch Hlestakov, a clerk from the Capital that everyone in town mistakenly believes is the Inspector General...come to town in order to clean up the place and get rid of the corrupt politicians.

This was one of the few non-musical shows I was ever in after high school, and the only time Fort Wayne had the opportunity to see me in a "starring" role. It was entirely appropriate for Denny Bechtelheimer to have been the one to direct me, as we had worked together several times before, not the least of which was when he was Jesus in Godspell with Beloved and me.

Strongest memory: With Denny's direction, I discovered that specific blocking really helped me memorize my lines for the lengthy scene in Act Three in which I became increasingly drunk. That scene also led to my castmates wanting me to over-imbibe at cast parties, but I didn't touch a drop.

"Next comes Dewey Roth as the clerk taken for the Inspector General. Roth has a wonderful role, the most usual of all the folks on stage but animated by a no-holds-barred ego that lets him fly high and free through the hilarious scene back at the Mayor's parlor after a banquet lunch. As he gets drunker and drunker, the stories get taller and taller, but the townspeople stick right with him, heightening the hilarity."  -  Connie Trexler, News-Sentinel

"Dewey Roth plays the opportunistic freeloader the townspeople mistake for the inspector general. His first appearance comes in the second act, an act which unfortunately is needed for introduction purposes, but which goes on interminably and, as staged by Bechtelheimer, rather dully despite Roth jumping over and under and around the small space. Escaping from that, however, Roth comes alive in the final two acts and makes them his. His drunken scene is a mindboggler."  -  Roxanne T. Mueller, Journal Gazette

"Roth is refreshing and bon vivant, as he charms the heart of everyone on stage."  -  Susan Horine, The Communicator

"His Royal 'Fakeness'  -  Dewey,
       Oh boy. Here I am, ready to tell you how much I appreciate you and what you've done for the show...I don't exactly know how...
       You have made this show a delight  -  I mean that. Hlestakov is everything I ever hoped he would be  -  and more.
       I am privileged to know you, to work with you again on a show, and to call you a good buddy. Thanks.
       Love, Denny"