Fly On, Little Wing
We, the members of Church Mice United local affiliate #242, have undertaken to gather at our headquarters at Calvary Chapel Reno-Sparks, NV, to honor one of our favorite humans. She is known affectionately to us as “Little Wing,” sometimes as “Little Bird,” but to readers of Calvary Chapel Magazine as Kathy Symborski. Even though she never came into the office in person, we are all aware of her faithful work scribing the works of God among our CC family of churches.
We have gathered on this Sunday night, before Little Wing flies away, to take over one of the office computers to write this post ourselves. Thanks, Rhea, for allowing us to use your station—little did you know that we’ve been watching you work and learning how to post an online story.
Many don’t believe in the legend of “church mice,” but rest assured, we are real. Legend has it that we had our beginning from that most famous of mice, Reepicheep of Narnia. Know that we have done no harm in our little world, the magazine office in Reno. In fact, we’d wager that our humans aren’t aware of our existence.
We were saddened by the news that Little Wing will retire after June 3, to work closely with her husband who has just retired. We asked ourselves, “What could we do to thank her for excellent work?” (Yes, we do read the magazine, but it’s a trade secret how we do that. If we told you, we’d have to kill you … or eat the lunch hidden in your desk drawers). Then it came to us as we opened the paper publications and found her stories: Let’s show her “where she’s been” in these past years. A bit like that king of movies, It’s a Wonderful Life.
You may argue that she hasn’t physically been to those locations—technically true. But she’s put in countless phone hours in interviewing and then transcribing. We believe that counts as travel that should earn at least double airline miles! We hear from our secret sources that if she could have travelled, she wouldn’t have minded the real trip to Maui to cover recovery after the horrific wildfires.
A cursory search shows us that Kathy has “travelled” much farther and has spoken to more pastors and believers than she realizes. And that doesn’t include the many CCA conferences she has covered.
Here is her travel itinerary, in no particular order, according to our initial research: Close to home, King George, VA, to cover a life-saving kidney transplant; the Middle East, including Palestinian Bethlehem, Israel; South Pittsburgh, Central Bucks and heartbreak on the streets of Kensington, Philadelphia, PA; disaster sites in the Hill Country of Texas, Western North Carolina, and Punta Gorda, FL; Oklahoma City’s pro-life pregnancy center; North Phoenix, AZ; U-Turn for Christ ranches in Kennewick, WA; family fun fairs at Rio Grande Valley, NM; South Los Angeles; Dallas, TX; Canon City, CO; and Southern California.
Internationally, she has tracked believers who have brought the Gospel to Calgary, Canada; Peru’s cities to the edge of the Amazon; the Middle East, including Palestinian Bethlehem, Israel; war-torn Ukraine; the Ishunga Missionary Outreach Ministry for Ugandan children; and Eldoret, Kenya.
We’re sure there are more, but perhaps they’ll be revealed in Heaven. We thank you for being a part of sharing these stories with such integrity, talent, and diligence.
We dub thee Master Wordsmith and Phrase-Turner, Queen of Captions, Searcher of Errant Commas, Placer of Proper Quotation Marks, Eagle-Eyed Discerner of Misspelled Words, Trustworthy and Faithful Employee, and Overall Good Sport even in frustrating times.
Remember us poor church mice (yes, church mice really are as poor as children’s literature depicts) as you move to your new life away from the computer. We know you’ll encourage and assist your husband in performing upkeep on your home, move heavy rocks when necessary, love your animals, relax at campfires, enjoy coffee on your front porch, cool down in your backyard pool, scout out classic cars you dream of buying, make trips to the trash dump, peruse the farmer’s market, and watch new bird families nest at your home. We truly hope that you’ll find time to pen a book amidst all that excitement.
So, with a strong thump of our collective tails, we salute you, Kathy. I know that we speak for our humans as well!
And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. Colossians 3:23-24
Signed: Church Mice United local affiliate #242
Thank you for reading! If this story inspired you, we invite you to partner with us in continuing the ministry God started over 27 years ago. We appreciate your prayerful consideration in joining us to reach more souls for Jesus.
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