Keeping in touch better...

Greetings my dear brothers & sisters in Christ,

While I am all for keeping and using this blog, we all must admit, it hasn't been the most effective tool for keeping in touch. I suspect it's due to busyness and the inconvenience of remembering to check this site now and then.

I would really like to keep in touch better with most of you to share ideas & resources, keep updated on the journey, and to encourage one another in Christ. The format that works best for me is simply group emails (with all the addresses in the “Bcc” line while emailing to yourself in the “To” line so as to not send out emails with 50 names exposed!).

If any of you are interested in keeping in touch with me, please just send me an email with the best email address for you. Here is the best email for me in this regards: roms1417 at hotmail.

Thanks & blessings!
Chris

"Reverend" sounds a little strange!

Hi everyone,
We are settling down here in Edgington after a 90 mile move from Dubuque to just south of the Quad Cities. Ordination was May 20th, and Installation at Edgington Presbyterian Church was last Sunday, July 1st. I started officially serving this congregation on June 3rd. It has been a busy month...much busier than I ever anticipated for the first month on the job.

I have already buried two members. The first death happened just two weeks after arriving. A leader within the church and community, a highly respected and beloved individual, committed suicide on a Friday morning. It's an interesting feeling driving to a home where a family is waiting for you where a loved one has just taken their own life! The funeral was huge...I was told there was around 300 in the sanctuary; the balcony was flexing from the weight on it, and people were in the basement listening on the p.a. system. I spent a lot of time that weekend...and continue to do so, talking about God's faithfulness in light of our own unfaithfullness.

We went to a Quad City Swings baseball game a few weeks ago in downtown Davenport. THey are a St. Louis Cardinals minor league team, and I kept thinking how much Scott P., Blake S., and the other Cubs fans would have enjoyed being there.

The installation last weekend was great. Pat Sileo gave the charge to the congregation, and Cheyanna Losey gave the charge to me. Phil Jamieson and his family came down from Dubuque...it was just a really nice afternoon of worshipping God, and participating in the mission and ministry of Jesus Christ.

I appreciate your prayers as I will be delivering my first "powerpoint" sermon this Sunday on Galatians 6 (lectionary). The church installed a retractable screen and mounted a projector to the ceiling last year. They have been using it for announcements and for music, but never for a sermon...we'll see how this goes!

Peace to you all,
Mark

we're here (in Spirit Lake) where is everyone else?

just curious where folks have settled...still surrounded by boxes - but starting to make the parsonage a home... hope all is going well with everyone

the post has been strangely silent for a long time!

Peace,
Deb