Sunday 1st November 2009 - A Visit to Church in Glasgow

          The United Methodist Church in Glasgow calls itself the "Smith's Ferry United Methodist Church".  It's because the Post Office was originally in Smith's Ferry, and when it moved to Glasgow, it kept that name.  So, naturally, people gave their address as "Smith's Ferry", because that's what they had to say to get the mail delivered.

          They managed to muster 12 worshippers, which isn't bad, considering there aren't many more houses than that in the Borough.  The Pastor was late, because he has two other church services on a Sunday morning.  Methodists sing nice songs, and it turned out the pianist was the mayor's wife.  I gave her the letter and banner from the Lord Provost.  She promised she would get him to reply.  Somehow that seems more reassuring than getting the undertaking from a mere secretary.

          I was introduced to the oldest inhabitant.  He is 85, and remembered lots of buildings which simply aren't there any more.  Actually, there aren't very many buildings left at all.

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          Talk turned to the election of borough officers on Tuesday.  Since there are only a handful of voters, they simply have blank ballots, and 'write-in' votes. They weren't sure that they would get enough people to do the job.  The sermon had been about Jonah,and his attempt to avoid a duty given him.  I had the effrontery to suggest that they should pay attention to how it applied to them.

          The main problems they have are the water supply, which can dry-up in the summer, and flooding, since they are right down on the flood plain.  At regular intervals, they can join with the Ancient Mariner and cry "Water, Water everywhere, nor any drop to drink."  A poem written at just the time the founder of this Glasgow was arriving at this place.  Although in those days thay certainly could have, and would have drunk from the Ohio.  I wonder if they still can.  It seems very industrial now:

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