A day for our graduates

On Sunday, June 29th we recognized our college and high school graduates in worship. Small gifts were given to those who were present. Among the college graduates were Lindsey Adams, Adam Barber, Amanda Brown, Kristina Howe Fusari, Dale Montford, Jaclyn Vanase, Allison Walberg and Tara Wolinski.

Our high school graduates included Cami Ferguson, Jeff Goldin, Keesen Howe, Ashley Polumbo, Mike Rotholz, Sean Sullivan and Chris Vaillancourt.

The message was entitled, "Who's On First?" as we talked about making God a priority in our lives. It was a warm day in church but it was made better by the singing of our praise team.

Scholarship awarded

On Sunday, June 22nd we awarded our Annual College Scholarship to Melissa Ingoglia. Melissa is a student at Eastern Connecticut State University. She joins our former scholarship winners Adam Barber (2002), Jennifer Kane (2003), Jonathan Vanase (2004), Lindsey Adams (2005), Casey Rezendes (2006) and Becky Lord(2007).

During our service we also enjoyed some special music from our praise team and continued our series on the book of Romans. The message was entitled, "Walking in Resurrection Power."

Cal

Vacation Bible School Begins to take shape

On Wednesday afternoon I met with Pastor Michelle Madsen Bibeau and Amanda Duntz and we talked about our join Vacation Bible School that is planned for July 21-25. The theme is "God's Big Back Yard" and it looks like it is going to be a lot of fun. It is Biblically based and each day there will be a light supper, story time, crafts, games and snack. We are going to need lots of help to make it work. It should be fun though.

I will be putting out a list of supplies we need as well as the type of helpers we need during the week. But to get you thinking, we will need hot dogs, English muffins, cooks, craft helpers, actors and more. There sis something to do for every volunteer.

Cal

A ministry to our older friends

On Wednesday morning I met Len Goldberg, the President of Pierce Memorial Baptist Home in Brooklyn, Connecticut. I am currently serving as chairman of the Board of Trustees. We talked about our history and the mission of the Home and how we might share that with the churches in Eastern Connecticut.

Some of you will remember the Chicken Barbecues and the Women's Board which formed a link to each of the Baptist churches. Over the years we lost that link. My job as chair is to try and rebuild it.

Pierce Home was recently cited as one of the top ten nursing facilities in New England. It wasn't done by accident. There has long been an emphasis on patient care that goes above and beyond what most other homes give. It comes because staff is dedicated to making a difference. It comes because standards are set high. It comes because we believe our home is a mission entrusted by us by our forefathers and mothers.

If you would like to know more about the Pierce Memorial Baptist Home, talk to me. We have expanded in recent years to become a continuing care facility. We had independent living apartments at Creamery Brook and have broken ground on some stand alone cottagers as well. There are some good and innovative things happening at Pierce and you ought to know about them.

Bob Sullivan, June Deptulski and Bob Booth serve with me on the Pierce Board of Trustees. Any questions, ask them too!

Cal

An open prayer line runs through church

I went to visit Bob Booth on Tuesday afternoon. He is at Haven Health Care doing some rehabilitation. bob has been bothered by back pain for a while but on Monday he ended up losing strength in his legs and after a trip to the Backus ER he was sent to Haven Health. It was not his first choice. Afterwards it was revealed that he had a pinched nerve that was causing the problem.

I mention this whole episode because if it wasn't for a bit of luck, I wouldn't have known Bob was at either the hospital or Haven Health. Someone who ran into someone who knew Bob called me and told me. Then I called Marge and got the scoop. So Tuesday I stopped in to visit and pray with him.

Please don't hesitate to call me if you are going into the hospital or you are going to a rehabilitation center. I will be happy to visit and pray for you. Every once in a while someone says to me, "I know you are so busy and I didn't want to bother you." Well please BOTHER ME! That is why I am here. My job as pastor is to be the shepherd and to care for you with my prayers and presence in your down times.

I am blessed and I get to do a lot of fun things as I serve you and our community. But my role is to be a prayer partner with you in time of need. So don't hesitate to call. If I can't get there, one of our Deacons will. The one thing that we can offer you as a church that the world can't is the power of prayer. so take advantage of it. Call when you need it.

Cal

Eighth Grade Graduations

It was a busy day in and around Norwich. Today Kelly Middle School hosted the 8th grade graduation. Several of our young people from Church, Sunday School and Youth Group were involved. I have to admit that my daughter Rachel was graduating so I had an extra special interest in the event.

We have listed all of our high school and college graduates in our bulletins and newsletters over the last several weeks, but we also have a number of eighth grade graduates this year. They include; Tecumseh Champlain, Jared Laflamme, Amy Kutcher, Rachel Lord, Hannah Mattos, Margaret McFalls, David Miller, Hunter Molcan, Michaela Murray, Morgan Murray, Brittany Rothholz and Charmaine Velez. All of these young men and women will be going on to high school next year. We wish them the best as they enter a new chapter in their lives.

Wedding bells and blessings

Where did the week go. I guess time flies when you are having fun or when you are getting older. Yes, I had my big birthday this week. Maybe I was trying to forget about it and that seemed to erase every other event.

On Monday I met with Scott Royce and his fiance, Jessica Malinowsky, about their upcoming wedding on August 8th. This is going to be a busy season with weddings at church. We have already been host to Andrew and Erika Higgins wedding in May and and renewal of vows for Douglas & Christine Lawson Carter last week.

In the coming weeks we will host the weddings for Kevin Mariano and Lindsey Adams (July 5), Sue Kenyon and Dave Kogut (August 8), Kristy Kine and her fiance (August 22), Wayne Morse and Kim Perry (August 30), Zelda Earle and Bruce Fellows (September 5), Stephanie Saporita and her fiance (September 6) and Katie Seder and Adam Karon (September 21).

We don't have a membership policy regarding weddings. In other words we perform weddings for any who come to us and ask for God's blessing. I meet with the couples a few times and we talk about marriage and how to maximize what God wants for them. Many of the weddings come from people either directly connected to the church or through referrals or friendships. Out of the weddings I have slated for this year, only one has no connection to the church. Yet this wedding comes from a referral from someone who I have ministered to in the community.

It is funny but over the years I have met many people who were married here in the church or by the pastors. They always talk about the good memories. Maybe that is what the blessing is all about.

Cal

A summer picnic

Yesterday afternoon a few of us got together to have lunch with Doug and Jan Wolf. It was great to catch up with them. They retired and are now traveling the country in their fifth wheeler. Doug spent twenty years in the U. S. Navy and made lots of friends. Now he is reconnecting with them and they are having the time of their life. Doug and Jan and their two boys, Eric and Ian, were here in the 1970's and 80's.

Cal

Is your marriage fireproof?

I was surfing the blogs this evening and came across this film clip promoting a movie that will be out in theaters this September. Mark your calendars now. We will plan a group outing to see the movie on the Weekend of September 26th. Check out the clip.

Cal

The Monthly Luncheon

This afternoon we served lunch at St. Mark's Church for about seventy people. Lee McFalls cooked up some pork chops, green beans and stuffing for the folks and it was well received. We had plenty of help as Mike Duntz and his girlfriend Julie, Amanda Duntz, Robin, Ennis and Muriel all were on hand to wait tables. I have included a few pictures for you to enjoy in this slide show.

Cal

Pizza consolation

In honor of the upcoming release of the "Get Smart" movie, I'd like to say that we lost our softball game by "that" much! We were right in it until we gave up seven runs in the fifth inning. Of course this is becoming a refrain. The final score was 19-14.

After the game several of us went to Olympic Pizza for pizza and soda and to chill out for a bit. It was a good time. Here are a few photos for you.

Cal

Let your light shine

As a young girl Alma Whitman came to our church and was a part of our Sunday School program. Rev. Percy Kilmister was the Pastor here then and he successfully turned our congregation into a community ministry. He was out and about in the neighborhood, speaking with people and inviting them to be a part of the ministry. He touched many families and they all became part of the FBC family. The Whitmans were among them.

We will never know how many young people, married couples, and older adults were affected by this little church. But today as I conducted Alma's funeral it was quite evident that those early days were very important to her.

The same thing is happening today as we do ministry to another generation of people on the West Side and throughout the city. The relationships we build with our neighbors and friends will have long lasting significance. As you share your lives and your faith with the people you meet, you will be making an impression on them. Wouldn't it be wonderful if somewhere down the road someone said that it was because of you they came to faith? It will happen if you allow God to use you.

So what are you waiting for? Go out and let your light shine.

Cal

The highs of an average Wednesday.

The umpire had on his Chicago Cubs cap and as we played softball tonight all I could do is laugh and think of the bad news bears. We would get two outs and then they'd get a hit or we'd flub a ball and they'd score two or more runs. That is how it has been all season long as we limp along to an 1 - 8 record. We are in most games but we just can't seal the deal.

Tonight Chip Chaffee hit a grand slam and a two run homer but it wasn't enough because we couldn't string along enough hits to score many more runs. We will try again on Friday. After the game we will stop in for pizza at Olympic Pizza. Maybe that will change our luck!

After tonight's game I dropped in for our Bible Study. I love this group. We really had another great discussion. C. S. Lewis poses a thought and we tear it up and and go up and down some rabbit holes. It is good for the mind and the soul and I always leave invigorated.

The problem is now I have to get ready to settle down and go to sleep. I'll have good dreams for sure.

Cal

A new family member is on the way

Tonight I heard news from Fran and Mark Rogers that they are going to be parents again. The Korean government has approved them as adoptive parents for Priscilla's natural sister, a beautiful baby girl who was born last fall.

This is an answer to our prayers and a blessing we will all celebrate in the coming days. Continue to lift up the family in prayers as they complete the final steps in the adoption process which includes classes and paperwork.

I am reminded again of just how special a church family can be. We have walked through this process with Mark and Fran. When things looked bleak, we prayed without ceasing, knowing that God had a plan and it would work out for the best. We watched as Fran and Mark trusted God and left it in his hands. Today that faith is being rewarded.

Never underestimate the power of prayer.

Cal

News from Mexico

Here is the latest news from our mission partners in Mexico.

June 2008

A newsletter of the ministry of Rick Barnes and Mercy Gonzalez-Barnes

IM missionaries to Baja California , Mexico

“I will go before you and will level the mountains; I will break down gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron.”

Isaiah 45:2 NIV

As I write this morning, I want to share two “refranes” with you. A “refran” is a commonly used saying that the hearers can immediately relate to. If I were to say “birds of a feather flock together,” most of you would have a general sense of what that means. The Spanish spoken in Mexico is loaded with “refranes”, some related to throughout the Spanish speaking world, some very regional. Two I have seen the value of are two, “ni modo” and “adelante” that I taught to a Short Term Mission group from Church in the Acres Baptist, Springfield , MA . These exemplify a good deal of the mindset of the people we work with.

Ni Modo means, basically, “oh well,” as in “oh well, what are you going to do about it.” For the people in the Dios con Nosotros convention, it is not an excuse to stop, but rather just another obstacle to overcome. Adelante means basically “proceed on”, or as one of the STM group said, yeah, it’s like that fish from the movie, saying “Just keep swimming, Just keep swimming.” I know it is a temptation for us to want to give up when the numbers don’t add up, or when we feel the obstacles are too large. But one of the things that I have learned from the churches and people with whom we work is that they have never had the luxury of having enough money or materials. For those who have always had to live and work with basically a hand to mouth existence, struggle has made them face adversity with amazing resiliency, because they are forced to live out their faith on even their basic level. They realize that they may not have the resources, but God is able to bless far more abundantly that they could ever hope for. So they continue to commit themselves to doing God’s work, and pray that God will bless what they are doing.

One remarkable example of that is the couple Eleazar and Rosita Romo. They have been in ministry more than fifty years, sometimes with Eleazar pastoring, and sometimes with both of them as a “missionary” couple (what we would term “New Church Planters). They were missionaries for Primera Iglesia Bautista ( First Baptist Church ) in Mexicali and he later pastored the church during a time of great missionary emphasis. More than ten churches are direct descendants of the ministry of this church, and Eleazar and Rosita were involved in some way with getting most of them off the ground. One example of Ni Modo and Adelante that he shared is when they were sent out to form a mission in the town of Veracruz I. They had nothing, but were told to get a Vacation Bible School going. He told me, “we got really good at using cardboard and cans that we found to help as craft supplies”. The mission church that was formed there is now called Iglesia Bautista Lirio del Valle (Lilly of the Valley Baptist Church ), a strong, growing and vibrant church. Last year, We celebrated Eleazar’s 50 years in ministry, thinking he was toward the end of a long and distinguished career. We celebrated his service, and the thanked God and Rosita profusely. He retired from the First Baptist Church of Calexico, CA, and they started living in La Rumorosa, a town in the mountains of northern Baja. But it wasn’t long before he started sensing that something wasn’t complete. “What are we doing here?” was asked, and before long, they started offering Bible studies in their home. Soon they were convinced of the need to start a mission. In January of this year, Primera Iglesia Bautista of Mexicali formally adopted the work as a mission, and things have been going steadily since then. The building is tiny and “well ventilated,” but it is a starting place. Thanks to the Short Term Mission team from Church in the Acres from Springfield , MA they now have a stone retaining wall, so they can level out the ground in preparation for a building. There has not been the promise of a building, just the dream and conviction that there needs to be one there. And in this small community, we also had 35 children at an afternoon Bible School . Again, they are simply convinced of need to do God’s work, and are convinced that God will bless them.

During the month of April we had the blessing of having the short term mission group from Church in the Acres come down to help build a retaining wall and assist with a Vacation Bible School . We always say that the best thing that happens with these short term mission experiences is that there is also the building of a relationship and the fact that we are all witnesses to what God is doing in different parts of the world through his church. Below are pictures of the group led by Jane Beckland and the happy faces of the children from the community of La Rumorosa. Please keep them in your prayers.
In Christ’s Love, Rick

Family Update “Commencement” Well, we’ve come to the end of the school year and our kids are excited about finally being done with finals and starting their summer vacation. Both Aida and Richie have done very well this year even though at times it has been challenging. Parents of High School kids will know what I mean. They challenge us but they make us proud. Joshua has done very well in his third grade class and we also look forward to a good experience next year with fourth grade.

We are all looking forward to visiting with my family in Puerto Rico in a few days. We will spend two weeks with them and return to visit some colleges and have an idea of what life will be like when Aida graduates next year.

It’s the last week of school at the seminary too and the students are just like our kids, counting the days in which they will be done with papers and off to their vacation.

You know, life is full of endings and new beginnings. That’s why I love commencement time. It always brings tears to my eyes as you say good-bye to one part of life and start another. You also get another opportunity to do things better and to make things better. It’s like New Years Day all over again.

We wish you a renewing summer and continue to thank you for your commitment to the Lord’s service and to our ministry. Please continue to keep us in your prayers and in your budgets.

Thanks again,
Mercy and Rick

P.S. from Cal - We are looking for mission partners to give a gift of $50 to the work of Mercy and Rick. You can pick a month and we can cover the whole year. You can also make a donation to the ministry of either of the two churches we have worked with by designating your gift to Buen Samaritano or to Sion.

In our prayers this week.

And my house shall be called a house of prayer...

I went to Providence today to visit Joe Willhoit in the Rhode Island Hospital. On My 7th he had a terrible accident and was flown by life star to RI Hospital. He had a ruptured aorta, a broken neck, broken back, broken ribs and it is only by a miracle that he is with us today. Say a prayer for him.

Also add Mark Damien Jr to your prayers. He had cancer in his eye and had to have it removed. He is having follow up treatment now. Think of Bob Booth, June Coleman and Doris Adams to your continuing prayers.

We want to remember Jean Roscoe and Bunny Rossoll in our prayers and ask God to comfort them. Maureen Postler had surgery this month and she is doing well. So is Cheryl Dimmock. Pray for her as she begins chemo therapy and her after treatment.

Judy Dupont had a good report from the doctor. She is cancer free and going strong.

Think of Ken Taylor. He has been very sick. Think of Jaclyn Vanase and pray for healing for her. Lift up Frank Roderick as he considers surgery this summer. The same prayer goes for Luis Pabon.

Pray for Tim and Aaron Rogers as they head overseas in the military. Think of Daryl Alves and Heather Stone too as they draw near to their service in the military.

Lift up Helen Song in prayer. She has been very sick in Korea and hopes to return soon.

Pray for Wendy & Ray Henry as they await the birth of their third child and Tim othy & Karin Rezendes as they anticipate their first. We also lift up the Ambrusos, the Fitchetts and Nick and Stacia Green as they enjoy the summer with their newborns.

Cal

This morning Doug and Jan Wolf were in Church. The Wolfs were very active in the church back in the 1980's After he retired from the Navy, Doug and Jan settled here and both of them sang in the choir and got involved in many areas of church life. Doug was actually on the pulpit committee that called me in 1985. Curt Brockway, Rosie Main, Doris Adams, Louise Strouse and Paul Lorraine served with him.

In 1988 they moved to Idaho and have not been back since. We have kept in contact and enjoyed hearing about them and their two boys, Eric and Ian. Now that they have both retired, they have been going cross country and enjoying life. This week they were back for an anniversary celebration with members of Doug's submarine crew.

We also welcomed back Rev. Evans Olibrice. Evans is the pastor of the Waney Baptist Church in Haiti. We have supported them with our mission giving over the years and dreamed about going down for a visit. This year they will baptize thirteen young people at their anniversary celebration the end of June. Evans is living and working in New York these days but he travels back and forth when he can. He asked us to pray for the church and for the people. Right now they are starving because there is a shortage of food available. We will be accepting gifts to send down with him to provide food for people who come to the church.

A day at the waterfront

On Saturday I went down to River Fest and ran into several people from church. I saw Frank & Muriel Roderick. They watched the races and then enjoy some of the tasty treats with family. Joel Fishkin was there. He was on one of the Dragon Boat teams. Conner, Maddie and Sharon came to watch him. Luis Pabon, Stan Boyes and members of Style Extraordinare were there with several contestants in the Miss Connecticut Pageant, including Rachel Lord. George Rezendes was there and so Lori and I. Later on John DiBiagio and his band, Fat Cats, were there too.

I always like to go to community events like this because I see so many people I know. It also reminds me that we are connected to the community in which we live. When we do ministry, it is not in a vacuum. We are part of a great small city with so many activities and events that bring us together. Someday I would love to see us have a booth or a table at one of these events. Maybe we could give away something that would express the love God has for all of us. So let's think about it and see if we can come up with something good.

Baby steps in the kitchen

This morning our kitchen renovation committee traveled to UBS Lumber to receive the set of plans drawn for our project. The committee was pleased with the work what we saw. For the first time since we began talking about renovating the kitchen, we actually have a picture of what it might lok like when it is done.

I joked about the fact that back in 1995 we said the kitchen was our next project. It only took thirteen years to make this much progress. Anyway we are ready to take our next steps. We have a design layout and a price for cabinets, counter tops and installation. Now we have to get some pricing for demolition, flooring, plumbing, electrical and refinishing the walls. The property committee and Trustees will take us the next few steps. Then we will have to figure out how we will raise the money.

It is exciting and hopefully you will all get a chacne to see the plans before long.

News from here and there

The June Newsletter went out in the mail today. You can get it on line by going to our web site at www.fbcnorwich.org. Newsletter day is always an early one for me as I put the finishing touches on it to get it ready for our mailing crew. I was at church by 5:20 a.m. and the newsletter was ready to go at 9:30 when Dot and Harry Calkins, Bob Walker and Carol Calkins arrived. We send out anywhere from 275 - 400 newsletters at any given time. We send more over the winter and during the holidays.

I had to leave them at 10:30 a.m. because I was invited to speak at the Pendleton Health & Rehabilitation Center in Mystic. The group down there uses my weekly newspaper columns for their devotional on Thursday mornings. I was humbled to be asked to talk with them and it was an honor to talk them.

I left there and went to visit Doris Regets at Academy Point. Doris couldn't make our celebration at church last week so I brought down her certificate marking her 71 years as a member of the church. We had a nice visit.

I got back home and had to finish up this week's epistle and then I was off for a meeting of the Missional Church team. Phil Postler and Judy Dupont joined Curt Brockway, Amanda Duntz, Cynthia Strouse and Sue Ferguson. I get all excited when we talk about being the church instead of just going to church. The difference is that in being the church we are active and reflecting Christ's love out in the world. When we go to church we keep it inside and although it makes us feel good, it is a dead end as far as spreading God's love. I have said it before but you will be hearing a lot more about what it means to be a missional church in the next fifteen months. So stay tuned.

When I got home I sent out my epistle and then sat down to watch the Basketball finals and make my blog entries. So there you have it!

Cal

Summer sports

Tonight we had our third softball game in two nights. We play toughed and gave it our best shot. We played great defense tonight in a double header. We had some timely hitting. But alas, like my beloved Detroit Tigers, we didn't have much success in terms of wins and losses.

We did have some victories tonight. Fred Stone pitched a double header and he was tremendous on the mound. He pitched to a tough St. Pat's team and had them looking clueless at times. Although they had one big inning tonight, we stopped their potent line-up from breaking out again and again. Sean Wilding finally got his chance and not only did he get some big hits, he also played well in the infield. Chris Adams was moved to the outfield and he graciously accepted the challenge and he made some great plays. Chip Chaffee also shifted to the outfield tonight and he had four big hits and scored a couple of runs. Steve Moon and Jeff Brockway had some key hits and scored some big runs too. Jeff even saw some time in left field to spell Steve and he did quite well.

So our record is now 1-6. But it doesn't feel that way. Take a look at some of the photos from the last two nights. You will see our guys and gals having fun. And that is what it is all about.

Cal

Fifty years and counting.

Yesterday we recognized our couples who have been married for over 50 years. Dot and Harry Calkins (56 years), Dick and Elizabeth Strong (55 years) and Bob and Marge Booth (51 years although Bob was home with ongoing severe back problems) all came forward to receive our appreciation. We also recognized Oliver and Barbara Bray (49 years) and Bob & Helen Walker (47 years) for their longevity and gave them honorable mention because we haven't done this kind of recognition in a long time at church. Each of the couples received a nice certificate to mark the occasion.

Cal

A special day for Amy Hollis

Amy Hollis was ordained into the Christian ministry yesterday afternoon in a beautiful service in Essex. It highlighted Amy's love of butterflies and rainbows and her creative nature. Her husband Scott and her two daughters, Katie and Sarah took part in the service. Judy Allbee, our Executive Minister, preached a message that touched on some powerful points including "Never Say Never!" and "Love is the answer to every question."

Amy grew up on the West Coast but she landed here after college. She and her husband Scott started a family and by 2001 they had landed in Essex at the Baptist Church. She immediately got involved. Not only was she active in church affairs, she also got involved in our SUNL Association and ABCCONN. In 2004 she began the journey up to Andover Newton to pursue her M. Div. In 2006 sh came to us and we called her as our student minister. Then last summer she accepted a position as the Associate Pastor at First Baptist West Hartford.

Last month Curt Brockway and I attended her ordination council and we were among those who voted to unanimously approve her ordination.

In our tradition an ordination doesn't magically change a person. There is no mystical gift that is given to make you a super Christian or endow you with super powers. The ordination is simply a recognition by the church that God has given you certain gifts for leadership in the body of Christ and the call of God on your life s visible to all. That was certainly true with Amy.

She blessed us in her time at FBC. She was so enthusiastic, her ideas were inspirational, and her creativity was engaging. I shared our best wished with her yesterday at the service as I brought greetings from our congregation. I think we should feel blessed that God used us to help shape Amy's ministry and that we received as much as we gave.

Keep Amy in your prayers now and I will try to give you regular updates on what she is doing and how God is using her.

Cal

Ministry outside the lines

On Saturday we hosted a memorial service for Nancy Vardar. She was delightful lady who loved life and enjoyed her family. She died rather suddenly a week and a half ago and her family was stunned. At the service we celebrated her life and her son, grand-daughter and a family friend shared some stories about her passion for life.

In any given year we minister to several families in the community that are touched by death. This family came to us because they have friends in the congregation. When they suffered this loss, they turned to their friends for advice and consolation and that led them to us.

I think sometimes we think of our ministry as being exclusive. The church belongs to us. We want our children to be taken care of. We want the sermons to speak to us. We want to have a place to have our baby showers and someone to marry our kids. The truth is that our church stands out in the community as a place where people can come to meet God. Strangers are always welcome and we minister to them in ways that can't be measured over a long period of time. We may never even see some of them again. But God does. He meets them as they sit in our pews and hears their prayers. He comforts them and sometimes it changes their lives.

Today we celebrated with and honored our 50 year members. We know the effect that our ministry has had on their lives. Doris Adams and Marge Booth, Edith Robinson and Bruce Royce, George Strouse and June Pendleton all have been active in our ministry. Lois Lopez, Jean Roscoe, Doris Regets and Jean Smith have lived life with a keen appreciation for the ministry that blessed their families. They are the pillars that have made ministry possible at FBC for the last fifty years. They join others who have given us a heritage of faithfulness that allow us to be a gateway to God's grace.

I'll have some pictures from our recognition service tomorrow.

Cal