What's In a Tweet? Basketball and much more!

The majority of people I know, do not use Twitter. It's a social networking website where you can post/write whatever you want in 140 characters or less. You can "follow" other people to see what they are writing about, and others can "follow" you if they so choose. Twitter is sort-of similar to Facebook in it's general purpose, but it requires you to be brief and to the point.

I became a Twitter user probably about 2 years ago, but became active on a daily basis about a year ago. I actually enjoy it more than Facebook! I have more fun with my posts, I get most of my news from it, and I keep up with my favorite sports teams very easily through Twitter.

I currently "follow" 164 people/places and I have 59 gracious "followers." God Bless them! Since joining Twitter I've made 1,729 tweets! I get news from my favorite Lexington and Honolulu news stations. I keep up with all my teams (Kentucky Wildcats, Cincinnati Reds, etc.) directly, and by following the sports media/broadcasters that cover them each day. I can even follow current & past players or coaches! Talk about staying connected! Of course I also enjoy keeping up with my friends on Twitter. And just to keep things interesting I get quotes & mind-blowing facts throughout each day.

Well....Today was the annual college basketball game between in-state rivals the Kentucky Wildcats and the Louisville Cardinals. Each year this is the game I stress over the most - but also have the most fun anticipating and experiencing the game! During last season I started using Twitter to provide my personal commentary during some Kentucky games. If I'm able to watch it live, then I'm usually on the iPad simultaneously tweeting out comments right & left. They may be funny. Or stupid. Or entertaining. You may disagree or agree. But I do have a lot of fun with it!

Below is a look at all of my commentary on Twitter during today's game. Enjoy! The order begins with the latest tweet. So if you work way from the bottom --> up it will be in the correct timeline of the UK vs. UofL game.

Granny's Reflection

Edith Shutes Teesdale
January 7, 1916 - December 18, 2013
CLICK HERE FOR HER OBITUARY

Granny loved her family and friends, her dachshunds, and music. She loved camping, knitting, and teaching. She loved watching gymnastics and figure skating on television, and of course Kentucky basketball. Granny loved traveling, she loved children, and she loved her church.

This is Granny’s bible. It is the New Oxford Annotated Bible, New Revised Standard Version - which she purchased 20 years ago. It is VERY well used, and full of her many hand written notes throughout.

On the inside front cover Granny wrote these words: "God gave us minds and doesn't expect us to park them at the door of the church." Granny demonstrated this to everyone through her ministry and the way she served the church. For those of us in her family, she taught us to practice our faith in this way. Granny called it “good ole fashioned faith,” and she would say that "service was better than anything money could buy."

On the inside back cover of Granny’s bible is Dr. Mooty's phone number. Granny loved to learn, and she was a student of her faith. Not only did she graduate from the College of the Bible (now named Lexington Theological Seminary) in 1948 with a Masters in Religious Education. But at the age of 75, Granny decided to go back to school. For seven years (1991-1998) she took one class per semester at LTS – for fun. And she received A’s! Sharyn Dowd, her professor of New Testament introduced her to the younger students saying "she even preceded women's restrooms in her seminary days."

My favorite story from her days at College of the Bible came from her graduation, which took place right here in this room. When the ceremony was over her graduating class took a photo outside. One of her male classmates said something to her about him not wanting to be in the same picture with anyone who had a dress showing. And she said "Well I guess I could take off my dress if it would make you any happier." Granny said that gentleman was somehow not in that picture and she was front and center.

In the back pocket of the cloth carrying case Granny had eight documents from here at Central Christian Church. Five of these are communications sent to the congregation with updates about the purchase and construction of the property behind me, which created new space for our children and youth. Two of these are Chimes church newsletters that contain “Dear Friends” articles written by her dear friend, Jan Ehrumantraut, former Minister of Pastoral Care here at Central. Jan unfortunately is traveling for the holidays, and unable to be here with us today. The final document is a list of 50 plus people mentioned in a Litany used in worship on All Saints Day a few years ago.

Granny loved Central Christian, and she cherished the Disciples of Christ denomination she was a part of for her entire life. Over the past eight decades she was a part of Central in some form, no matter where life took her. In the 40’s she was a Student Associate while attending the College of the Bible, and worked with the youth groups. In the 50’s, 60’s, and 70’s she raised her daughters in the church along with our Papa, Hartzell, who some of you knew as the "Minister of the Broom," and she taught children’s Sunday School classes. While I was growing up in the church during the 80’s and 90’s, Granny taught adult Sunday School classes, she was a deacon, she preached at a monthly worship service at Emerson Center, and she helped my mom get me here for my activities as a child and youth. In the new century she worshiped here with us, or tuned in to the live radio broadcast from the nursing home. It’s fair to say that her love for Central has carried over to me. Like her, I can’t stay away.

In the front pocket of the cloth carrying case Granny had 5 index cards. These cards were probably daily reminders for her, but part of her lesson plan for us here today.
- “Do to others as you would have them do to you. The Golden Rule.”
- “One day at a time.”
- “Adjust and be happy. Don’t feel sorry for yourself.”
- “Why do you see the speck in your neighbor’s eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye? Matthew 7:3.”
- “Be Thou My Vision”

Also in the front pocket of the cloth carrying case is a Mother's Day Card from I would guess around a decade ago that reads: “Happy Mother’s Day, to a woman who has helped mold who I am. Yes you do have to take some of the blame. Love, Christopher Hartzell.” Granny there is not a person in this room that you have not touched, in addition to so many others who could not be here with us today.

I think Granny’s father, LeRoy Shutes, said it best when he wrote about Granny’s birth; "Estherville, Iowa - Edith Mabel was born January 7, 1916. We had a boy ordered but like Sears they substituted and sent something a bit better." As a parent of two with a third coming in a few days, I can’t help but think of how proud he was of his daughter, Edith, when they reunited in heaven. To my children Lorelei, Ellis, Poppy... “You know you have good genes. And I’m not talking about blue jeans.”


Mark Schultz "Remember Me"

Music & Faith Memoir

This year my home church in Lexington, KY is celebrating the 20th year of ministry by the Director of Music, Michael Rintamaa. For about a year now members of the Chancel Choir at the church have been sharing essays about their time at Central, their faith, and how music has been a part of their lives. This week I was asked to share my story, and here it is unedited:


I was born in Lexington at Good Samaritan Hospital, Feb. 12, 1981. Yes, I share my birthday with the great President Lincoln! One of my favorite "musical" stories from my childhood came in those first days of my life. Apparently I had the lowest pitch cry of all the babies in the nursery, and my mom (Peggy Sledd) could easily identify me from down the hall, by the bass already present in my voice. A sign of things to come perhaps?

I went to school at Cardinal Valley Elem, Leestown Middle (6th & 7th grade) Tates Creek Middle (8th grade), and Tates Creek High. I studied Music Education/Percussion at the University of Louisville (Go Big Blue!). I am a fourth-generation member of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and grew up at Central. I was dedicated as a baby, and baptized at the age of 10 by Glynn Burke.

All of my fondest memories as a child involve music. I feel so fortunate to have been exposed to music at an early age at home, school, and church. (That is quickly becoming a rarity in parts of the USA today). At Central I sang in the Childrens Choir, which was then led by Bob Kintner, Betty Rhodes, Diana Deen, Pam Hammonds, & Cecila Wang. Talk about a lot of musical talent in one place! The annual musicals were always (and still are!) one of my favorite parts of Central's Music Ministry. But my favorite music making experience as a child was definitely playing the Orff instruments! I can't help but smile, when I think about how those small little xylophones & metallophones is where I started as a percussionist, and that I now play a similar instrument (the marimba) that weighs over 200 pounds! My dedicated "roadie" at Central, Michael Rintamaa, can back me up on that!

The one song I clearly remember singing as a child was at the age of 10, when four of us boys (in our soprano voices mind you) sang "O Holy Night" for the Christmas Eve services at Central. We nailed it by the way! The 11:00 p.m. Christmas Eve service has been my favorite worship service at Central ever since!

In 1993 I finished elementary school, and therefore aged-out of Children's Choir. Around that same time is when Bob Kintner announced he was retiring as Music Minister at Central. I remember on his final Sunday he closed worship by playing Charles-Marie Widor's "Toccata" from Organ Symphony No. 5. I can still picture Sallie standing next to Bob and turning the pages for him, as the rest of us witnessed the moment with tears in our eyes. Year after year it's been a blessing to hear Michael Rintamaa play this piece at the end of Easter worship. A few times I've made sure I had the best seat in the house....inside the organ chamber! Michael even played the "Toccata" as the Recessional for Teri's and mine wedding!

In Michael's first year as Director of Music at Central I have a feeling that directing the Youth Choir was one of the toughest parts of his job. I'm hoping we didn't make things to difficult on him though! But he did quickly show his BRILLIANCE as a Maestro by having a group of us youth sing the soprano voice"chant" section in the middle of John Rutter's "Magnificat" for his first McDaniel Presentation. I remember being so overwhelmed by the orchestra and choir that morning as I walked up the chancel to sing our thirty seconds of music. I've never been so nervous for a performance in my life, than this first time singing with the Chancel Choir.

I took piano lessons for six years, beginning at the age of 9, with my elementary school music teacher, Sandy Anderson. I also managed to squeeze in a year of playing violin during 4th grade, until I was finally able to join band in 5th grade to start my first of now over 20 years playing percussion. I've been singing in choirs at school and church my whole life. I was really lucky to gracefully survive the two years of adolescence when my voice changed, thanks to the vocal private lessons I took with Bob Kintner at his home. During my high school years I worked along side Stuart Talbert as one of the sound engineers, so I didn't start singing with the Chancel Choir until I was an adult. Which seems crazy, because I feel like I've been a part of it my entire life! I did however begin singing with the MLK Choir as a teenager, and credit my approach towards singing bass to that experience. Even today when singing bass, I find myself asking W.W.J.D? ("What Would Josh Santana Do?")

In addition to the choral ensembles at Central I have played in the Handbell Choir, which started in 1997. After spending 2008-2010 as Choral Director at Providence Christian in Nicholasville it was an honor to come back home to Central and direct the Handbell Choir from 2010-2012. I also led the Wellspring Band and helped organize the Wellspring worship services that took place in 2011 & 2012.


If you were to ask me what is my favorite book my answer would be the "Chalice Hymnal." Seriously! Its one of my treasured possessions. So much so that I have two copies! Its difficult to narrow down a small number of favorites, but four of my favorite hymns (in worship order) are:
"God of the Ages, Whose Almighty Hand" #725
"For the Beauty of the Earth" #56
"In Remembrance of Me" #403
"Ours the Journey" #458

With honorable mention to these seasonal hymns:
"When God Is A Child" #132
"Lift High the Cross" #108
"The Lord's Prayer" #310

Here are four recent faith-based songs that have shaped my faith:
"10,000 Reasons (Bless The Lord)" by Matt Redman
"Table of Love" by Andra Moran & Josh Elson
"Divine Romance" by Phil Wickham
"Worlds Apart" by Jars of Clay

As for my favorite choir anthems, I adore the "Kyrie" anthems from Lent and the Spirituals sprinkled throughout the year. But my four favorites would have to be:
"My Shepherd Will Supply My Need" by Mack Wilberg
"Psalm 139" by Allen Pote
"God Is Our Refuge" by Allen Pote
"There Is a Time" by Craig Courtney

With honorable mention to these Advent anthems:
"Mary On A Mountain" by John Carter
"The Jesus Gift" by Gilbert Martin

Two of the anthems used for Maundy Thursday each year also make my list of favorite anthems:
"Thy Will Be Done" by Craig Courtney
"Pie Jesu" by Andrew Lloyd Webber - which as we all know can only be done justice going forward with Anabelle Wright-Gatton and Amanda Balltrip singing the solos.

My two favorite major works are John Rutter's "Magnificat" and "Te Deum."


I've known since the age of 15 that my calling in life was to use my God-given talents to share my faith with others through music. I have had opportunities like counseling church camps and teaching marching bands, but nothing has shaped my faith-journey like the PEOPLE and MUSIC at Central Christian Church. Its been my "home-away-from-home" for as long as I can remember. From summers organizing the music library, to playing marimba in worship, to the endless hours of behind-the-scenes work. I am who I am because of Central.

Amongst the many teachers, ministers, and colleagues throughout my life thus far, no person has influenced me more than Michael Rintamaa. Through his words, actions, and friendship he has taught me so much about music, worship, faith, parenthood, and life! I'm grateful to call him my mentor & best friend!

Since moving to Kailua, Hawaii last June there has not been a single day where I haven't missed Central Christian Church. I know God sent me, Teri, Lorelei, and Ellis here for a reason. I am making & teaching music everyday so far of this year - with even more opportunities on the horizon. You can keep up with my musical doings at: www.facebook.com/MusicWithChris

Aloha!