Æfenglommung is an Old English compound meaning “even(ing) gloaming, twilight.” I like Old English. I’m an OE buff on history, too. But if you have encountered this blog from some other quarter, some hyperlink or other, you may be wondering exactly who this OE buff is who writes about language and literature and history and church and theology and food and Scouting. So as I start my sixteenth year of online logorrhea, allow me to come out of the twilight and tell you just a bit about myself.
My name is Arthur Collins (a.k.a. Art or A.W.). I am an ordained minister in The United Methodist Church; I retired three years ago after 41 years of service. I have the following degrees: A.B. in English from Indiana State University; M.Div. from Asbury Theological Seminary; Ph.D. in Secondary Education: Curriculum and Instruction from Indiana State University.
One of the prime foci of my ministry has been Scouting. I joined Cub Scouts when I turned eight, so I have more than half a century in BSA uniform. I’m an Eagle Scout and a Vigil Honor member of the Order of the Arrow. I’ve been a Scoutmaster, a Venturing Advisor, a Chaplain, and a lot of other things. I have also been one of my denomination’s Scouting ministry leaders. And I am a Lifetime Member of the Girl Scouts of the USA.
In 2002, I published My Lord Knows the Way Through the Wilderness through my Annual Conference, a worshipbook for Scouting and other outdoor youth ministry. I am currently in the editing process of my magnum opus on Christian education, Teaching the Faith, which I hope to see published later this year.
I speak one foreign language well enough to get by on the street (German), and I am fairly proficient still in Latin, Old English, and Middle English. My Greek is rusty but still serviceable enough for New Testament research purposes. I know enough Swahili and French to be pleasant, enough Spanish and Italian to read a menu, and enough linguistics to guess at road signs in another half dozen languages.
I like camping and backpacking. I have led Scouting high adventure and missions trips on three continents. I also like cooking. “Food is love,” they say. I am a lifelong cat herder. I play organ, piano, rhythm guitar, and pennywhistle. I have dabbled rather extensively in stained glass. I collect stuffed bears, hats, Boy Scout patches, walking sticks, and clutter. My home is filled with books.
I have been married for 46 years to the fair Deanne, whom I met in college. We dated for two weeks before I asked her to marry me. We were wed nine months later, and we’ve been together ever since. We have two grown children and two grandsons (ages seven and nine). I live with my wife and cat (Hera) in a rented house while I slowly build my ultimate retirement home with my own two hands. This is a slow process, first because I am getting old, and second because I started with almost no construction skills. But we’re getting there.
Welcome to The Daily Mustard.