Charles Castles

Charles Castles is a pretty good communicator which, of course, is a prerequisite for a preacher.

As pastor of the Woodlake Presbyterian Church for more than 12 years, Charles, along with is wife Shirley, has been not only a spiritual leader and advisor to his congregation and others but also deeply involved in the community.

Charles preached his last official sermon last Sunday before launching into the preparations for a move to Pasadena where Shirley will attend Fuller Theological Seminary and Charles tests retirement and takes at least two important out-of-state trips.

Most pholks in Woodlake know the Castles, but even those who don't likely have noticed the unique messages on the marquee at the church on W. Naranjo, just east of the Woodlake Cemetery. While not all the messages are his, Charles takes pride in matching the words to contemporary situations, the seasons, holidays or simply faith-based thoughts.

Castles cites several reasons for his inspirations to not use the marquee simply to list service times and/or sermon titles.

“In Dallas, when I was growing up, some shop in the industrial area started putting up signs and people would drive out of their way to see them. In Houston while at Rice University a friend started communicating with some of the people by using the sidewalk by our rooms and his first was 'And this will be a sign unto you.' A third reason is that never in my life have I gone to a church on any Sunday because of the sermon title on the sign in front of the church.”

He says the messages aren't always the same on both sides of the marquee because the number of available letters doesn't always match the amount of words. And he points out, it is not unusual for passersby to see him working on the sign to stop, offer suggestions or simply to offer comments or simply to chat. Castles doesn't take credit for all of the messages, but here are a few of his favorites:

“Don't feel the whole world is against you. Some are neutral and God loves you.”

“Motivation doesn't last, bathing doesn't either. That's why we recommend daily prayer and bathing.”

“Life is like a game of tennis - the player who serves well seldom loses.”

“Sign broken: message inside this Sunday.”

“Like tea bags, people reveal their strength when put in hot water.”

“When down in the mouth, remember Jonah came out all right.”

“Kindness is difficult to give away because it keeps coming back.”

“Nothing ruins the truth like stretching it.'

“If God is your co-pilot, swap seats.”

“Soul food served here.”

“Come as you are, Leave changed (for the better).”

“Have trouble sleeping?-come hear this week's sermon.”

“Aspire to inspire before you expire.”

'If God had a refrigerator your picture would be on it.”

”Our retirement plan is out of this world.”

Charles said that last one “is particularly intriguing at this time of life. People ask me what will I do. I'm not sure. I hope to do something with my trumpet and piano. I also hope to write or learn to do something with the internet. We will be a short walk from the Huntington Museum and grounds and I expect to check that out in depth.”

His musical background is a bit unusual since he plays the piano by ear and he sometimes uses his trumpet skills to add to the church musical ensemble so it isn't surprising he hopes to include music in retirement plans.

The church and the Woodlake Rotary Club have already thrown going away parties and now the Castles are working on downsizing the amount of furnishings and other items as they prepare to move into a much smaller residence in Pasadena.

The chore has not been easy but the Castles have kept their sense of humor. Charles wrote me a note admitting he has had thoughts during the “downsizing” which would not have been appropriate for the sign in front of the church.
The Castles will be missed by a lot of pholks, that's for sure.