9-8-11

Dear Family of faith,
It seems like forever since I wrote my last midweek news to you. Jill and I certainly missed you while we were gone visiting family and friends. We bring warm greetings to you from Peter and Jan Bastow and John and Sylvia Chapman (in Maine), Walt and Marilyn Wiwczar (in New Hampshire), and Duke and Polly Yaguchi (in Georgia). They are all fine and we shared some marvelous memories with them. We put on over 4,000 miles on our car during the trip, but I it was so affirming to see so many wonderful people who have been with us in good times and bad. The relationships of life are what make life real and beautiful. It's a lesson to be reminded of, especially in difficult economic times like we face today. Life is never about things; it's always about people.
Being gone from the church so long also reminded me of the privilege it is to be your pastor. You are wonderful people, so accepting and loving, and I never take that for granted. I only wish everyone could experience the bonds of caring that we have in our church!