A Sad Day

After taking one of the Florin COB members to a PA state prison to visit with her son, I received some very heart-wrenching news on my cell phone as we began our drive home.

A chaplain from Lancaster General Hospital called to tell me that Ron Mellinger, 73 yrs., a Florin member and good friend who volunteers 2 days/week with Lancaster County Habitat for Humanity was electrocuted while working on a HFH house roof and was killed.

Bev and I spent some time with his widow, Judy, late this afternoon and early evening. Her two adult daughters and family who live out of state will be coming in tomorrow to PA. After the coroner releases the body tomorrow I'll be meeting with the family and funeral director to plan Ron's memorial service.

I ask you keep Judy and Ron's family in your prayers and that you keep Bev and me in your prayers as we grieve the loss of a close friend and as I extend God's love and grace to the family.

Shalom.

Getting closer all the time!

As of tomorrow, Tuesday, August 3, 2010 I am 45 days away from my "official" start with Antioch COB and 48 days from my first "official" Sunday in the pulpit on September 19, 2010. It will be here before we know it!

Bev and I are enjoying our final days and weeks with the Florin congregation and our friends in this community. We have had and have scheduled a number of meal invitations with folks as a way of celebrating our relationships and preparing for our departure on September 12.

We now have a scheduled closing date on our house at 429 Creighton Drive, Rocky Mount on Monday, August 16. We will be making a quick trip in/out to care for this important detail! We have been greatly assisted by C.A. Flora in making all of this possible!

I've been doing a good bit or reading and thinking about Antioch COB as a missional congregation. I close this blog post with the following quote from the Church of England, "Mission-Shaped Church" document, as it captures the missional church spirit,

"It is not the church of God that has a mission in the world, but the God of mission that has a church in the world... God is on the move and the church is always catching up with him. We join his mission."

Bev and I are looking forward with great anticipation to partner with you in mission! Peace.