Franklin Eugene McCain

The Greensboro 4 ,

I had a great opportunity to meet one of the 4 men who as freshmen at North Carolina A&T walked down to Woolworth's and sat at the lunch counter and stayed during serving hours for the next 5 months until they were served. It spoke to me about the power that a student or a community of students can yield. These were men of conviction who saw injustice and were willing and able to stand out for what their convictions convinced them of. They had a strong heart that allowed them to make bold moves. They had available time which allowed them to work out the sit-in around a student's schedule. They had a community of friends and supporters who would come and sit with them and for them when they just needed to be somewhere else, like class. They had the actual belief that what had always been done was wrong and that with a strong but humble voice they couls see change come.

Fish & Chips in Jack's seat

One of my favorite memories of the London trip was the day in Oxford. Eventhough it was the rainiest day, just being in the midst of the Oxford colleges and especially being able to learn about C.S. Lewis, see his house, hear the stories and walk the streets he walked was quite a joy. .

My good friend Doug Gresham helped me arrange a tour of the Kilns. We were accommodated by Tom Ward, a resident of the manse who provided an excellent synopsis of Jack's life before and after Joy came into his life. He showed us all the rooms and talked about the restoration and the conversion into a complete study center.

I was quite elated to be in the Kilns, to see the chair, the pipe and the typewriter of this man who has contributed so much to evangelical Christianity. Hmm! maybe my next job will be to be the Kilns Curator or at least a good sabbatical

The evening finished with a visit to The Eagle & The Child (aka: 'the bird & the baby') where we commandeered the seats where the Inklings sat and discussed so much theology, crafted their books & publications and even evangelized seekers. The picture is of Carolyn & Tripp sitting in Jack's seat in the corner by the fireplace.