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Friends United Meeting |
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April 2005
Clyde Johnson: A Ministry of Hospitality
By Kerensa Edinger
Clyde Johnson has the kind of voice that trees might have: hesitant, quiet and filled with deep pauses. He takes a seat in a well-worn recliner by the window and as he speaks, the listener feels a deep sense of peace and calm seeping into the living room of Ichthys House. Stacks of books crowd the fireplace, piano, coffee table and chairs. Postcards, photographs and hand-drawn pictures adorn every available flat surface. A few diminutive statues raise their heads above the surrounding bric-a-brac. Clyde jokingly says he likes to keep things “messy” so that his guests don’t worry about making messes of their own.
A thick sheaf of letters from Clyde’s “worldwide family” waits in a box by Clyde’s chair to be answered. “It is a rare day,” Clyde says, “without a visit, phone call, e-mail or letter” from someone who has been touched by his ministry of loving hospitality.
Ichthys House is Clyde’s home and it is also home to any and all of his visitors. Clyde keeps only the second floor private for himself and his cat; the main floor with its sitting room, den and kitchen are open to guests as long as Clyde is awake and around the house.
Ichthys House has been officially in existence since Clyde moved to an apartment at 229 College Avenue in 1973 and gave his ministry its fishy name. Ichthys is the Greek word for fish, and the acronym from the Greek words for “Jesus Christ, God’s son, Savior.” The simple outline of a fish has long been a symbol of Christian faith and hospitality.
He moved to his current home at 215 College Avenue in 1982 and took his ministry with him. The house is across the street from the Earlham College campus, Earlham School of Religion and Bethany Theological Seminary.
The ministry of Ichthys House is a Christian ministry, no question, but it is practiced in such a way that people of any faith or of no faith at all feel safe and comfortable. Every guest is welcomed, offered a cookie or two, and then set free to read, pray, listen to music, study, rest or unburden his or her cares on Clyde’s willing shoulders.
Ichthys House has hosted worship every night of the year at 9:30 p.m. since 1976. “Nightly worship is the centerpiece of our ministry here,” Clyde says. Very rarely has this time of worship been cancelled. Periodically, Clyde holds a Day of Solitude and Silence around the time of Earlham College’s final exams and end of the semester.
The House has been home to Earlham College Young Friends and the Earlham Christian Fellowship until both groups grew too large to fit in Clyde’s living room. Richmond Young Friends still meets at the house on Tuesdays. Every so often Clyde throws a Community Dinner, a fully prepared meal for about 12 guests from the campus and city communities. Ichthys House has also hosted several notables — authors Madeleine L’Engle and Henri Nouwen, and classical guitarist Christopher Parkening among them. Clyde proudly points out photographs and hand-written notes from his famous guests. He is no less proud when he shows off his photographs of couples who have met at Ichthys House. Clyde has been an attendant of many weddings, and he admits to providing a little romantic encouragement now and then. “Though I don‘t make any guarantees, when I see the flames flickering, I like to fan them,” Clyde said.
Clyde is much more than a matchmaker, he is a patient listener. He seems to always make time to sit and chat, to offer milk and cookies or a good book, or to listen quietly, depending on the needs of his visitors.
Though privately owned, Ichthys House is included in Earlham College’s and Earlham School of Religion’s catalogs, brochures and newsletters and is supported by the three Richmond monthly meetings and by Indiana Yearly Meeting. Selected members form a support group that meets regularly with Clyde. Ichthys House is funded by Clyde’s personal income and contributions from Quaker and non-Quaker sources. Donations, even in the form of cookies, are always welcome.
Friends can just drop by Ichthys House at 215 College Avenue, Richmond, IN 47374 or contact Clyde at (765) 962- 9352 or email: johnscl@earlham.edu. His website is also at www.infocom.com/~johnscl