Eric and Miriam and their five children came from Cincinnati, Ohio to a small community in north central Wisconsin just off of Interstate 39 to pastor the Hancock Wesleyan church. Miriam helped lead the worship and one of the boys helped with the video projector. In Wisconsin this is not only the Sunday before Thanksgiving. It is also opening weekend of the nine day gun hunting season for deer, which is also a big deal in the Badger state. In spite of that, there was a good group. Following the service I discovered two tables loaded with boxes of food that were made available to anyone who was there that Sunday. Some people picked up a sack and took it home and others gathered food to give out to others in the community. One of the men of the church has taken this on as a ministry to the congregation and the community. This has been one of the strategies they have used to “give a cup of cold water” to people in need. Hancock is also the congregation that received a donation of a funeral home in town and decided to donate to a Hispanic church group that was starting a ministry there in town. After the service Reenie and I had a great time sharing a meal with the Hambrocks.
Connections
The past couple of days we’ve had the privilege of having Chris and Mary Conrad in our home. Chris came to town to make a visit to Transformation City in Milwaukee and connect with Pastor Jason and Alya. They also took the opportunity to connect with some friends in Madison. Chris and Mary and their two daughters hosted an open house in our home Sunday afternoon so we also had a chance to visit with some Lakeshore folks.
Earlier in the weekend Dave and LaVerne Tippey, friends from Indiana came for a visit. Dave and I grew up in Junior Bible Camp and Youth camp in Indiana and he was the best man in my wedding. LaVerne was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s over two years ago and she is moving into the advanced stages of the disease. It was a special visit with good friends. Reenie and I continue to monitor the progress of Dan and Shelley Berry, District Superintendent of the South Coastal District of the Wesleyan church. Dan and Shelley were in a serious accident about 10 weeks ago, seriously injuring both of them. Dan is recovering from his injuries, but Shelley has been in a coma since the accident. These and other events in the lives of our special friends have made Reenie and I remember again how fragile life is and how precious our relationships are with family and friends.
I pray that this will be a wonderful week as you take some time to reflect and remember how thankful we all must be for the love and grace of God in our lives.
Calendar
November 25....... Burr/Valley Visit
November 26....... Northern Lakes LBA Dialogue
November 28....... Evangelism and Church Growth Meeting
December 2………………...Baker St. visit
December 4……………. Dialogues
Southwest LDJ Dinner
December 5……………. Nicaragua Partnership meeting
December 6……………... LDJ
Pardeeville Board
December 9……………………... Darrow Rd visit
December 11……………………... Dialogues
December 13……………………... Hayward Bd
December 16……………………... Hales Corners
December 18……………………... Dialogues
December 23……………………... Drop in visit
December 27-31…………………. SetApart 07
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