Helmcamp's Recyclopedia

Another one bites the dust.

My last post here was about a new book by a high school classmate of mine.  I'm excited to say that Dr. Glenn Pemberton's book, "Hurting with God: Learning to Lament with the Psalms" has since been released.  I just received a copy from Glenn's publisher, and am looking forward to digging in.

I start with that because another Cleburne High School connection is closing one chapter and beginning a brand new one.

I'm talking about "Helmcamp's Recyclopedia," a used book store in my hometown of Cleburne, Texas.  The store is currently having their going out of business sale.  But in this case, it's not because they couldn't keep up with spartan.com, or any of the huge nationwide franchises.  The owner, Richard Helmcamp, is retiring.

Mr. Helmcamp, or "Uncle Dick," has been a fixture in Cleburne for years.  He has had a tremendous personal impact on the lives of literally thousands of people, going back to the early 1970s, when he became CHS's band director. 

High school bands in Texas are a big deal.  The biggest, and most obvious reason for this is football.  If you are unaware that high school football is an iconic cultural phenomenon in Texas, then wake up and smell the nachos. 

Why the tie-in between football and bands, and what does this have to do with books?

Alright, I'm getting to the point.  The bands play at the football games.  Not just the home games, either.  They take buses to the away games as well.  And they march during halftime.  So every fall, the band director is responsible for teaching music to the band members, ranging in age from 14 - 18 (shudder), songs that will be played either in the stands or out on the field every week.  In our case, the pieces we played while marching were memorized.  Not only that, but the director choreographed all the marching routines.  Each routine would be used for probably two weeks, and then a new one, with new songs, would take over.

Looking back on it now, it staggers my imagination.  And, along with 1 or 2 assistant directors, Dick Helmcamp did this for decades, he taught the children of some of his earlier students.  He excelled at this job, which was obviously a passion for him.  It became a passion for many of those students, as well.  Band wasn't just something we did, it was part of who we are.  Personally, it was how I identified myself.  I was a member of the Golden Pride of Cleburne High.

When exactly Mr. Helmcamp hung up his baton, I'm not sure.  I believe it was shortly after the turn of the century.  I had lost touch with him, but through the wonder of facebook, was able to re-establish the relationship somewhat.  I found that he and his wife Patsy went to Nevada for a few years, where he dealt blackjack.  Then they returned to Cleburne and opened up a book store.  A used book store, to be precise.  Here, according to legend, the Helmcamps established a local hideaway where bibliophiles could browse, buy, sell, trade, listen to music (some of it recordings of Golden Pride performances from generations past), and shoot the bull.  Unfortunately I haven't been back down to Cleburne in a coon's age, so now I'll never get to visit Helmcamp's Recyclopedia.

Dick Helmcamp is still keeping busy.  He has been dedicated to the performing arts in Cleburne, appearing in and directing a number of productions with the Carnegie Players. 

He's just one of those people, you know?  Have you ever been asked, "who are the 5 most influential people in your life?"  Well, he's way up there on my list.

I wish Dick and Patsy nothing but the best as they say goodbye to Helmcamp's Recyclopedia.  Actually, I'm a little worried for Patsy.  The facebook page clearly says everything must go, "except the computer and the dog." 

There's no website for the store, but if you're curious, here are the facebook page, and a couple of links with reviews.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Helmcamps-Recyclepedia/100861283291252

http://www.mojopages.com/biz/helmcamp-s-recyclepedia/cleburne/tx/76033/12156144

Much love, Dick and Patsy.

Alan Andrews

Featured New Author: Glenn Pemberton

I'd like to bring your attention today to a soon to be released book...

Hurting with God: Learning to Lament with the Psalms

by Dr. Glenn Pemberton.

Glenn is a high school classmate of mine, and has, through his own personal journey, dealt with seeking answers to one of the questions with which mankind has struggled since the dawn of time.  He draws from the Psalms and Lamentation writings in Scripture to help himself, as well as the rest of us, become more aware of things that are greater than we can realize. 



Here's the link to his facebook page...

Hurting with God: Learning to Lament with the Psalms


Rather than review the book myself, I'd like to take this time to let you see some of the endorsements Dr. Pemberton has received from scholars much more learned in the subject than I am.

Many writers have considered the question, “Why do bad things happen to good people?” Pemberton, however, sets this philosophical issue aside to consider the practical. How do believers live out faith in prolonged seasons of pain and loss? How can we live with God when it hurts – and continues to hurt? Drawing from his own daily struggle with chronic pain and years of reading and teaching the Psalms, Pemberton leads readers on a quest to recover a lost ancient resource for people of faith—the language of lament. Through the exploration and study of imagery and language, Pemberton revitalizes this forgotten tool to rejuvenate those who seek to connect with God in times of struggle.

Endorsement from W. Brueggemann:

Glenn Pemberton has written a masterful study of the Lament Psalms that is sure to be a rich resource for the practice of faith. The book is well informed about scholarship and brings to it the heart and humor of a pastor. The book is accessible without cutting corners and so invites the reader into this rich prayer. The book is reliable, as Pemberton has read and digested an entire legacy of scholarship. Beyond all of that he understands the pain present in our contemporary world, the pain of loss, and the reluctance of the church to bring such pain and loss to candid speech. I have no doubt that the book will become primer for many people, and a reference point for more advanced study. In the end, Pemberton enhances and enriches the depth of faith and the passion of honest prayer.

Walter Brueggemann
Columbia Theological Seminary
March 14, 2012


From Mike Cope:

This book is honest—it’s honest about God, about faith, about suffering, about disappointments. It’s also profound, encouraging, and pastoral. A remarkable Old Testament scholar, Glenn Pemberton writes as one who has known his share of suffering and who understands that lament flows not from an absence of faith but from an abundance of faith. For its biblical insight, this book will sit proudly on my shelf next to Brueggemann’s works on Psalms; for its pastoral care, I’ll be handing out copies to many friends who seek to trust God in a world that hasn’t yet been set completely right and to church leaders who will be encouraged to return to this deep expression of faith-amid-loss called lament.

Abilene Christian University Press & Leafwood Publishers

There's already plenty of buzz surrounding Hurting with God: Learning to Lament with the Psalms written by Dr. Glenn Pemberton, esteemed professor at ACU. Be sure to join the 181 people who already "Like" the book which releases early May!

Endorsement from David Petersen, former President of the Society of Biblical Literature, Franklin N. Parker Professor of Old Testament, Candler School of Theology

Pemberton offers profound biblical-theological reflection about the importance of lament psalms, reflection informed by his own experience with deep physical pain and by insightful reading of the Psalter. This book will help Christians as they “live in the midst of the storm—to hurt with God instead of without God.” As well, this book offers concrete proposals for ways in which churches can include psalms of lament in their worship services. A deeply moving and insightful volume.

Endorsement from David Petersen, former President of the Society of Biblical Literature, Franklin N. Parker Professor of Old Testament, Candler School of Theology

Pemberton offers profound biblical-theological reflection about the importance of lament psalms, reflection informed by his own experience with deep physical pain and by insightful reading of the Psalter. This book will help Christians as they “live in the midst of the storm—to hurt with God instead of without God.” As well, this book offers concrete proposals for ways in which churches can include psalms of lament in their worship services. A deeply moving and insightful volume.

I wish Dr. Glenn Pemberton every success with the publication of his book.  If you've ever tried to understand why sometimes life just doesn't seem "fair" (and who hasn't?), I encourage you to read "Hurting with God: Learning to Lament with the Psalms."  Plus, I know he's had at least a couple of Basset Hounds in his day, so even if I hadn't gone to CHS with him, I'd still know he's obviously a cool guy.

Alan Andrews

Basso for Hire