wfn.org | Offcenter at the Oncenter

[PCUSA.NEWS@pcusa.org]

June 15, 1997 
 
 
GA97007               OFFCENTER AT THE ONCENTER 
 
SYRACUSE--Offcenter's favorite American social critic and author, Mark 
Twain, was quoted by Walter Brueggemann at the pre-Assembly conference 
Friday: Twain, when asked if he believed in infant baptism, replied, 
"Believe in it? Hell, I've seen it!"  A story about Twain's religious roots 
will appear in the July/August issue of "Presbyterians Today," Offcenter's 
favorite denominational magazine. 
 
                              # # # 
 
    Moderator John Buchanan personally introduced his childhood friend Paul 
Winter when the latter's group, the Paul Winter Consort, gave a concert 
Friday night for early arrivers at the 209th.  Buchanan and Winter grew up 
in the Broad Avenue Presbyterian Church in Altoona, Pa.  What Buchanan 
failed to tell the audience is that they were the starting guards on their 
high school basketball team.  No Jordan and Pippen they, much to the 
benefit of Presbyterians and music-lovers everywhere. 
 
                              # # # 
 
    As far as Offcenter is concerned, "Houston" is not a common name...for 
a person at least.  But not only are there two Houstons at the 209th, they 
are both named after the same Houston.  Houston Hodges and Houston Harte 
they be -- Hodges of Huntsville, Ala., and Harte of San Antonio, Texas. 
Years ago (neither would be any more specific with Offcenter) Hodges' 
parents worked for Harte's father, Houston, in San Angelo, Texas.  And when 
both boys were born, they were named after the elder Harte.  Further proof 
that we Presbyterians are a small world and a close family. 
 
                              # # # 
 
    Offcenter is shedding his/her pew-potato image to run/walk/stagger in 
Wednesday morning's Board of Pensions-sponsored 5K "fitness event."  If 
Offcenter can do it, anyone can do it and tickets are still available at 
the BOP booth in the exhibit hall.  Helpful hint: don't finish ahead of 
John Detterick (BOP president) or you may find funny things happening to 
your major medical claims (just kidding, John!). 

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