Warm welcome greets
new superintendent

“I thank my God every time I remember you, constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you, because of your sharing in the gospel from the first day until now.”—Philippians 1:3-5
Mary and I echo those words of the Apostle Paul. We thank God for you and keep you in our prayers.
You have received us well. The district parsonage was painted and decked out with new carpet when we arrived the Monday before annual conference. We thank Fernando Garza and the district trustees for providing such a spacious and lovely home for us.
Steve Purdy and Linda Jewell were waiting with eager smiles and warm handshakes to bless our coming. We thank Steve as the chair of the District Superintendency Committee for his friendly coordination of our transition, and Linda as district administrative assistant for her tireless efforts to satisfy and smooth the logistics of the move.
A lovely bouquet of flowers welcomed us to our new place of service, as did plenty of cold drinks and snack foods. Mary Catherine Edwards brought over lunch, which she hoped would be sufficient for the day—and a week later we were still eating the ample leftovers.
Finally, I thank Dr. Kim Cape for her generous efforts to inform and guide me in my initiation as a district superintendent.
Truly, you have been sharing in the gospel before I came, and you will be doing that after I leave. But, in the present time—the now—let us share in welcoming people to the love of Jesus Christ, in growing stronger Christians and churches for our sustaining God, and in serving the world by the power of the Holy Spirit.
I thank God for you and look forward to how our joy will be multiplied. Keep Mary and me in your prayers.