Jeremy D. Scott
12th May 2007, 08:43 AM (08:43)
I imagine that someone on Naznet knows this lady. Yesterday was her 91st birthday. She is my wife's grandmother and one of the most beautiful ladies I've ever met.
Marguerite Nielson is the widow of Rev. John B. Nielson. John B. was the son of John N. Nielson, the father of John M. Nielson, and grandfather of John W. All four of these Johns were/are pastors and teachers. JNN was DS in New England. JBN taught at ENC, was on the first religion faculty at MVNC, was instrumental in the starting of EuNC, but most knew him to be Sunday School curriculum director (or something like that, a position his son, Merritt Nielson most recently oversaw). JMN is now teaching at MVNU and was long-time president at APNTS. JWN is pastoring at the Melwood CotN (http://www.melwoodnaz.com) in Maryland.
Anyway, Marguerite (most affectionately, "Grammie"), traveled and served faithfully with JBN. While they went all over the world and US to minister, their hearts were always in Waterville, Vermont, which became the town of memories for my wife and her cousins.
When JBN passed in 1997, my grandfather, Stephen W. Nease officiated at his memorial service. When my grandfather passed last year, JMN, a good friend, sang and spoke at his memorial service. For myself, marrying into this family actually taught me more about my own family! I've loved to sit with Grammie Nielson and hear stories that she remembers of her husband and my grandfather during their years serving together, particularly in beginning Mount Vernon. Programs from each of JBN's and SWN's memorial gatherings are framed on the wall beside me as I type.
Thanks for letting me reminisce before I finish up my sermon for tomorrow. What a task! Something about "standing on the shoulders of giants."
(By the way, Rev. Janelle Nielson is handing the cake to her grandmother - she's the children's pastor at the Cross Pointe CotN (http://www.crosspointenaz.org) in Salisbury, MD. In the background is Rev. Ronald Parker, my father-in-law, senior pastor at Crosspointe. In the last picture, she is listening to a recent CD of her grandson (Andrew) playing his grandfather's (JBN) cello at the Olathe College CotN. Anyone who knew JBN knew him to often be carrying his cello around to various gatherings. The family is glad that Andrew decided to "stick with it" so that the cello would go to good use. I've heard him play - he's good!)
Marguerite Nielson is the widow of Rev. John B. Nielson. John B. was the son of John N. Nielson, the father of John M. Nielson, and grandfather of John W. All four of these Johns were/are pastors and teachers. JNN was DS in New England. JBN taught at ENC, was on the first religion faculty at MVNC, was instrumental in the starting of EuNC, but most knew him to be Sunday School curriculum director (or something like that, a position his son, Merritt Nielson most recently oversaw). JMN is now teaching at MVNU and was long-time president at APNTS. JWN is pastoring at the Melwood CotN (http://www.melwoodnaz.com) in Maryland.
Anyway, Marguerite (most affectionately, "Grammie"), traveled and served faithfully with JBN. While they went all over the world and US to minister, their hearts were always in Waterville, Vermont, which became the town of memories for my wife and her cousins.
When JBN passed in 1997, my grandfather, Stephen W. Nease officiated at his memorial service. When my grandfather passed last year, JMN, a good friend, sang and spoke at his memorial service. For myself, marrying into this family actually taught me more about my own family! I've loved to sit with Grammie Nielson and hear stories that she remembers of her husband and my grandfather during their years serving together, particularly in beginning Mount Vernon. Programs from each of JBN's and SWN's memorial gatherings are framed on the wall beside me as I type.
Thanks for letting me reminisce before I finish up my sermon for tomorrow. What a task! Something about "standing on the shoulders of giants."
(By the way, Rev. Janelle Nielson is handing the cake to her grandmother - she's the children's pastor at the Cross Pointe CotN (http://www.crosspointenaz.org) in Salisbury, MD. In the background is Rev. Ronald Parker, my father-in-law, senior pastor at Crosspointe. In the last picture, she is listening to a recent CD of her grandson (Andrew) playing his grandfather's (JBN) cello at the Olathe College CotN. Anyone who knew JBN knew him to often be carrying his cello around to various gatherings. The family is glad that Andrew decided to "stick with it" so that the cello would go to good use. I've heard him play - he's good!)