Back in the Saddle

It has, thus far, been a very strange July. It began with travelling to Long Beach, California for the 29th General Synod of the United Church of Christ. I was back at Shiloh for a week, then headed off for a week of vacation to Torch lake, in far northern Michigan.

 

The Michigan trip came about in a somewhat interesting manner. Last year, our daughter, Casey, served as president of the Sinclair Community College ASL (American Sign Language) Club. Part of that club's annual deaf community support is a charity auction, which Shiloh hosted. In order to support the deaf community, and to help out our daughter, we attended. Our intention was to bid on and buy something small, in order to lend our support.

 

During the posting of contributed items, we noticed a week's stay at a place called "Torch Lake," donated by another Sinclair ASL club-member family. We knew nothing about Torch Lake, but saw that the estimated value was around $1,500. We intended to bid on the vacation, maybe getting a great deal in the process.

 

To condense the story, I will tell you that Larry and Marilyn Jones, Larry and Janet Ferguson, and Lisa and I shared a week at Torch Lake for $550 (total, not per couple or per person). We appreciate the family that donated our week at "Memaw's Place" on Torch Lake, the Sinclair Community College ASL Club and the support of Shiloh Church, all of whom have made some time away possible.

 

Thanks to the remarkable staff here at Shiloh Church, church life went on pretty much as normal. Jay McMillen did a great job with worship and pastoral issue., Dick Van Tine is slowly returning to a part-time visitation schedule, Sid Manley has kept the facility running. Ashley, Judy, Mark, Martha, Aaron, Ken, John and a host of others, many volunteers, handled the thousands of details that face the congregation each week. Thanks to each of you.

 

I return to the office with a full calendar of upcoming meeting, events, wider church involvement, and some new visioning possibilities. After a week of deep cleansing breathing, it is again time to get down to the business of serving Jesus Christ in this community. I am looking forward to it.

 

See You Sunday!