Words From The Warden
Reflecting on my friends who are currently participating in Episcopal 101 classes, I am reminded of how much I value the pursuit of understanding my own identity. This longing for self-awareness has consistently accompanied me throughout my everyday life, as well as my journey within the Episcopal faith. The ongoing process of learning and exploring the meaning of being part of this tradition continuously shapes my perspective and guides my actions.
Recently, as I gazed out the living area window of my fifth wheel, I noticed a camper from Ohio parked nearby. Its inhabitants hail from Holgate, Ohio—a small village in Henry County, situated in the far northwest corner of the state. Holgate is the proud home of the Holgate High School Tigers. The village is so small that it does not sponsor a football team; instead, basketball has long been the main sport in this agricultural community.
During my fifth year as a basketball official, I had the opportunity to officiate a game for the Holgate Tigers, led by their head boys’ basketball coach, Paul Wayne. Prior to that Saturday night game, I had never met Coach Wayne. He proved to be a demanding leader who always expected the best from everyone involved in the game. Throughout the match, Coach Wayne made several remarks directed at the officiating team, sharing his thoughts as the game unfolded.
In the third quarter, Coach Wayne rose from the bench and stepped slightly onto the floor to voice a grievance with me. At that time, basketball rules only allowed coaches to leave the bench for specific purposes, such as calling a timeout, assisting an injured player, or reacting spontaneously to an exceptional play. Despite these restrictions, Coach Wayne stood up, shouted something at me, and inadvertently stepped onto the court.
Shortly after this incident, there was a break in the action. I approached Coach Wayne and firmly stated, “Coach, if your toes so much as touch the floor again, I will call a technical foul.” About a minute later, the ball was knocked out of bounds near the Holgate bench. As I prepared to resume play, Coach Wayne stood up, called out loudly, “Hey Hank,” and purposefully placed his toe over the boundary line. Given that I had already issued a warning, I had no choice but to assess him a technical foul. The game continued, although I do not recall which team ultimately won.
On Monday morning, I received a call from the Holgate Athletic Director, who wanted to know about my availability to officiate games the following season. I suggested he speak with Coach Wayne before making any decisions. The director laughed and explained that Coach Wayne had specifically requested me, saying that he could trust my word. This moment marked the start of a friendship between Paul and me. Over the years, Coach Wayne built a remarkable career, achieving 500 wins and earning a place in the Ohio Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame. This experience affirmed for me the importance of knowing who you are, understanding what you stand for, and living with integrity.
Living the Christian faith within the Episcopal tradition has been profoundly important to me. I hope that those now attending confirmation classes will gain deeper knowledge and a richer appreciation for what it means to be Episcopal. For me, being Episcopal is about seeking a balance among differing viewpoints, prioritizing love and respect over strict uniformity, and holding baptism and Eucharist as central practices. It involves interpreting the Bible by balancing scripture, tradition, and reason, and focusing on the teachings and love of Jesus.
Just as it was essential for me to understand my role and identity as a sports official, it is equally important to know who we are and what we represent as Episcopalians. The instructions are clear: “Love God with all your heart and mind and soul” and “Love each other as I have loved you.” Because of this love, everyone is welcome at God’s table. Our guidance is simple and straightforward. This is who we are and what we strive to be.