By Sherrie Norris
Marcia
Cham lives by the book as a minister, and, as an
author, is writing her own about a subject that
many find difficult to discuss.
Photo by Sherrie Norris
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On any given day, Marcia Cham might be spotted in the corridors
of Watauga Medical Center, offering pastoral support to
patients, families and staff, or perhaps at a special event,
dressed in appropriate costume for which the occasion might
require, or she might be observed with a local writers group
at the library, requesting a critique for the book she is
penning and preparing for publication.
Relatively new to the area, Cham is a woman of many talents
and gifts, blessed, along with her husband, Ken, to call
the High Country “home” for the last four years.
Born in Ohio, educated at Ohio University and Boston University
School of Theology, Cham taught secondary school math and
science for five years, a first year teacher each time,
something she says, “Only teachers will understand.”
She married a fellow graduate of Ohio University whose 20-year
career with General Electric called for frequent moves,
their 14th and final to Blowing Rock.
While living in Hickory (1975-1980), the couple discovered
a love for the mountains, spending many weekends camping
at places like Price Park.
“During my sabbatical in 2003,” Cham said, “we
traveled Europe for five weeks and then lived in a Misty
Mountain rental where I did some writing.”
It was then that the couple realized “the mountains
felt like home.” They bought a house, which was struck
by lightening and destroyed the week before they were scheduled
to move in.
“Due to the care of the folks on Misty Mountain, we
lived in rentals for two years while building our house,”
she said.
Cham was ordained into the ministry in 1991 and served two
churches. Because of her love for simultaneous teaching
and preaching, she was easily known as “Pastor Teacher,”
always enjoying facilitating retreats for men, women and
youth.
“I orchestrated learning opportunity around the enneagram—a
spiritual and personality tool,” Cham said.
While she loved that particular aspect of ministry, she
discovered the “richest part” was working with
death and dying. That passion resulted in a book she is
writing on those experiences and her own personal fear of
death and dying.
A note of gratitude that she includes in the book explains
much: “I write this book for you, the ones who trusted
me with the sacred parts of your lives. As a pastor, I faced
death with you. You carried me through the depths of sorrow;
your strength encouraged me and your moments of joy sustained
me. Through your dying, you taught me about living. By walking
this path with you, I found deep within each of your stories,
my story. I hope that a word or an image will touch and
honor your life. With my deepest gratitude, this book is
dedicated to you and your families.” Within her book
are contained eight sections including: “A Letter of
Confession and Thanks,” “Accidental Death,”
“The Gift of Laughter,” “Stranger Needs a
Stranger,” “A Good Death,” “Celebrations
of Life,” “Pastor in Family Deaths,” and
“Fear Invades, Listening to Death.”
The finished product will offer her readers a comprehensive
look, from various angles, into a subject that many often
find difficult to discuss.
With the final editing nearing an end and promising to be
a “must-read” for all, Cham describes, “The
lives of the people — family, church members, strangers,
children, young adults —inspired, even called me to
share their stories. Within the stories of their deaths,
I’ve touched into my own story … the story of
a pastor with a fear of death but learns and works toward
freedom and trust in the mystery of death.”
Having worked with a local editor for approximately 18 months,
Cham feels her book will be ready “to pitch” within
the next two months, hoping it will be available by year’s
end.
Parents of three adult children, the Chams recently welcomed
their sixth grandchild to the world.
She works as an on-call chaplain one week a month at Watauga
Medical Center in the Pastoral Care Department, yet another
“rich and sacred experience,” she describes.
She is active in the High Country Writers Group and will
serve as vice president/program chair for the next year.
She is also part of a weekly prayer group with women on
Misty Mountain. She and her husband both enjoy the High
Country United Church of Christ in Vilas, where she teaches
“a few courses.”
One of her greatest blessings, she says, is the opportunity
to rise each morning, not only seeing, but appreciating
the view from her home.
“The ridges go on forever toward Charlotte. In fact
on a very clear day we can see the skyline of Charlotte.
I love the quiet … having time to watch the seasons
unfold and meeting people who are not in a hurry. Ken and
I love to share the Western North Carolina mountains with
friends. They find the beauty hard to believe,” she
said.
We met Cham during a recent celebration hosted by the High
Country Women’s Fund for young parents and their children.
The “elf” in the crowd easily attracted attention,
as did her smile and outgoing personality – a prerequisite
we could only imagine, as she interacted freely with all
ages.
When asked about that particular “side” of her
ministry, she said, “I have a large costume room in
the house. I have ‘costumed’ for years. As a public
school teacher, I found the costumes helped hold the attention
of seventh- and eighth-graders. My favorites were the weather
person, dressed for the soap opera of the stars, and as
the formula for photosynthesis. Then at church, I’ve
needed to dress as Thelma Righteous at times. I’ve
been a witch for 20 years at Halloween and love that day,
especially when visiting nursing homes. I’ve been Phoebe
Gribble Dibble, Trudy from the Double Cup Dinner and other
personas – it’s just a fun way to take people
to another place.”
The elf began as the youth group in Hingham, MA, participated
in parties for Head Start,” she said. “Oh, and
then there is the Chicken Costume, one of my favorites.
Mostly it shows up at showers for the brides in our family,
but recently it made an appearance at the High Country Writers’
meeting.”
So, watch closely, folks, you never know where she might
turn up. But one thing for sure, we’re glad she “turned
up” in the High Country.
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