A FULL Weekend...

One of the things that is a reality for Sharon and I as Pastors and for most pastors... is that we rarely get a weekend where we can go have fun some place.  Most folks in our congregations can just pick up and go travel whenever and wherever they want.  But we always have to plan to be home on Saturday night so that we can be present for Sunday morning.  With Sharon working full time during the week, it is hard to get away much.

Being on vacation for two weeks mostly to hunt has been fun.  It was interrupted by the death of a dear friend and our deep desire to go support the family and participate in his memorial service.  Since we were already off on Sunday we were able to turn it into a weekend away that was meaningful. 

We met Caroline in Carlisle, PA on Friday night as that was a suitable meeting spot for both of us coming from different directions.  Carlisle was still an hour and a half from our final destination but that was much easier to do on Saturday mornng than the 5 hours from home would have been.  It was a beautiful drive on Saturday morning and a meaningful time to see lots of former parihioners and celebrate our dear friend's life.   Caroline and I enjoyed being able to share some reflections together at the memorial service too.  Caroline traveled back there for a week each summer to stay with this couple for many years after we left the church. 

Then after visiting some other friends in the area, we traveled back to Carlisle and spent another night so that we could join our friends at the Presbyterian Church she now pastors.  Jeanette was our collegue when we were in McVeytown and her husband Kevin (they weren't married then) was a member of our congregation.   They have come to visit us several times but we have not been to their new place in the three years they have been there.  So, yesterday it was fun to worship with them and share the afternoon together!

Here is the church (a historic facility with several buildings)...

And here is the parsonage (though they call it a Manse)

What a blessing this weekend was for us!  And to think we have one more that we will enjoy coming...  For that one I will attend my first ever NFL Ravens game with some guys from my community Men's group!