Mike's Flowers

One of the wonderful ways that friends say that they are thinking of us when we are grieving is to provide beautiful flowers. The flowers that were given to Donna and David and Daniel in memory of Mike were quite lovely. Flowers have a way of brightening a room and lifting the spirits, but they do fade all too soon, and so I made a few photos of Mike's flowers for Donna to have, long after the vases are empty. Here are some of those flowers.

Faith Lutheran Church - Penfield - New York

Now that we are back home again, Judy and I have been reflecting on the time we spent in Rochester with her sister Donna and our nephews David and Daniel, as we said farewell for now to our brother-in-law Mike.

The church where Donna and family have been members for many years is also where Donna works, and where Mike was an active volunteer on the church council and an enthusiastic particpant in Bible study and other programs.

Mike had said he wanted the service to be a celebration, and so it was, with the sanctuary filled to capacity, instrumetalists and singers, and eulogies from members of the family.

The people of Faith Lutheran Church are so supportive of Donna and the boys, it warmed our hearts to see their outpouring of love and concern.

During a quiet moment, I made a few photos of the sanctuary, which show the wonderful architectural details, at least some of them. I regret not photographing the baptismal font, and the worship cross which was fashioned from the "empty" spaces of the base of the communion table.

Bristol Here They Come...!

It is almost time for our 2014 Senior High Mission Trip to depart for Bristol, Tennessee, or if you prefer, Bristol, Virginia, since the two are one, with only a center line down State Street to separate the parts of Bristol that are in VA or TN.

The group will leave the church tonight...well, in the wee hours of tomorrow morning. You are all invited to wave them on as the bus heads out around 1 a.m.

Photos of the group's work and activities during the week will be posted directly on the Wekiva Presbyterian Church Facebook page; so if you go there, you can have a look at the work they are doing. It will be a bit of a sneak preview of the show they do at the August Fellowship Dinner.
Some fun facts:

- Bristol was named the "Birthplace of Country Music" in 1988 and the National Country Music Museum will open there this fall. One of our members is related to their PR person, so plan to hear more about that in future!

- Bristol is part of the Tri-Cities Region. Well as the saying goes... If at first you don't succeed, Tri, Tri again!

- Bristol Motor Speedway is in... Bristol. Naturally.

- Tennessee Ernie Ford was born in Bristol. I leave it to you to guess whether on the TN or VA side of town.
Keep on visiting the church's Facebook page throughout the week, for more on Bristol and the 2014 mission trip!

30 Years Ago Today...

30th Anniversary - The Celebration Continues...

Mimi and Papa treated us to dinner this evening...on the actual day...our 30th anniversary. We had such a lovely evening. We did miss Johnny, he was working. But the rest of the in-town family all gathered and we had a nice relaxed evening. We are feeling so blessed to have these dear people in our lives.

Congratulations to Amy...!

 

Yes, it is graduation time...and what better way to enjoy a Memorial Day Weekend Sunday evening than to spend it with good friends who are marking such a special occasion.  It was Amy's Day and we were glad to be able to be there to wish her all our congratulations and love.  Rob and Heather made the party so special, and filled their home with love and laughter, and need we add, festive decorations and delicious food.

 "There is a good reason they call these ceremonies "commencement exercises."  Graduation is not the end; it’s the beginning." ~Orrin Hatch

"Graduation is only a concept. In real life every day you graduate. Graduation is a process that goes on  until the last day of your life. If you can grasp that, you’ll make a difference." ~Arie Pencovici

 I especially like the Three Redheads photo!

"I hope your dreams take you to the corners of your smiles, to the highest of your hopes, to the windows of your opportunities, and to the most special places your heart has ever known." ~Author Unknown

30th Anniversary Flowers

Judy carried Calla Lilies in our wedding...

So today we presented the flowers in worship in honor of our 30th anniversary,  and Patty made sure that Calla Lilies were part of the arrangement.   Isn't it gorgeous?  The roses, by the way, are called "Sweet".  And they are!