When thinking back on my childhood, some of my most vivid memories occurred in and around the Wilton United Methodist Church.
I spent just about every Sunday morning there, attending Sunday school with several great teachers over the years. I remember singing in the youth choir, with teacher Joy Carter helping us learn how to enunciate each and every word.
I remember the annual Christmas play, where we children would all yearn for the roles of Mary and Joseph, and settle of course for one of the three kings.
There was also the occasional wedding and/or baptism, Easter, Bible school in the summers, the list goes on. Being just four blocks from my house growing up, that church was like a second home to me.
A place I felt safe. At the middle of it all was Pastor Paul Pennington, a man who was grand in stature with a steady voice. He always seemed so “large and in charge” to me. Perhaps the fact that I was young and quite smaller than the 6’2” frame I’d grow into played a part in it.
Either way, any of us children loved when we’d get a moment to talk with him, or when he met with our Sunday school classes and/or praised us after singing or performing well in the church.
His calm demeanor never wavered, and his soft, often monotone voice still demanded obedience.
Paul and his wife Sharon moved to Wilton from Carson, Iowa in 1979. Paul served as pastor at the Methodist church until leaving in 1997 for a church in Keokuk before retiring in 2003.
Paul was very familiar with Wilton. As a Columbus Junction graduate himself, he remembers his father being pastor of a church in that town, and playing football against the Beavers, as Columbus Junction would often play Wilton Junction in high school sports.
The Penningtons raised their son Will and daughter Sue in Wilton. Will graduated in 1985 and Sue in 1989, both Wilton Beavers.
Will has gone on to have a fulfilling career in the U.S. Navy, having become, rightfully so, one of Wilton's heroes, with a resume longer and greater than perhaps any of us.
Therefore, it was fitting to have Will come back to our area twice in the past year or so, to serve as the guest speaker at Freedom Rock events in both Cedar and Muscatine counties.
The Muscatine County Freedom Rock is located in downtown Wilton, and Will was back to speak at the ceremonial unveiling Sept. 6.
Paul and Sharon made the trek back to Wilton too that day. When Will arrived, I went to the rock site to welcome him back to town before the event was to begin. I overheard him telling some folks that his parents were in the crowd. I asked him to point them out. Ironically, they were seated not far from where I had placed my lawn chair.
Not having seen them in decades, coupled with the fact that we were wearing masks due to the COVID-19 pandemic, I was unaware of who they were. Yet when I went up and introduced myself, I immediately recognized that voice I heard for so many years growing up. They are also avid readers of the Advocate News, even in Missouri where they now reside, so that always gives us plenty to talk about. I’ve even gotten a surprise call from him a time or two over the years.
I reconnected with Paul and Sharon last week, after being given a message that they had called early the week following the event. They wanted to get a message out to the community, mentioning how grateful they were for both the ceremony, and those in the crowd who took the time to say hello.
“Our hearts go out to the people we were with for 18 years. We had masks and couldn’t visit with all of them, but we feel good about our hometown,” said Paul.
They hadn’t been able to visit with people in that way for around 10 years. They arrived a day before the Sunday Freedom Rock event, and were able to drive around Wilton a bit, commenting that several of their favorite trees had gotten a lot larger.
“We stay in touch with a lot of folks. We wish we could have seen more. It was overwhelming, a beautiful ceremony,” said Sharon. “Wilton is our home.”
Paul said he was able to meet with current Wilton Methodist Church Pastor Steve Braudt. “He was a nice man. I’m glad the people of Wilton have him.”
I told Paul that, rather than just print a “thank you” sort of message, perhaps I could tell a bit of their story. I shared about 15-20 minutes on the phone with the Penningtons that morning. At the end of our call, Paul said it made their day.
Little did they know, the pleasure was all mine.
I also snapped a quick picture of Paul, as there was a moment during Will’s speech to the crowd where he introduced his parents. Paul got up and gave a wave, receiving a warm ovation. I’ve included that photo on this page for our readers to enjoy.
