Saying Goodbye to Mark and Susan

I choose the best Sunday to be in Thunder Bay. Today, was the last day the minister at my home church in Thunder Bay. Mark and his wife has been with us for the past 8 years. They will be missed at our church. It was within the first 4 years of their stay here that I had gotten to know especially Mark due to the different church committees I was on, plus as Youth Advisors for our city's Presbyterian churches. I held many a Christian Education Committee meetings in my dining room in which I was chair of. It was during this time, I made the decision to become a member of the Presbyterian church. I just hadn't felt that with our previous ministers at the church. One of the things I had to do was write about my faith as I read our Living Faith which we use for responsive readings during service. After Mark read that we had a wee interview to explain further what I wrote. Well, when the Sunday arrived and I became a member - I don't think their was a dry eye in the church - or that it what I was told. It all became emotional for me - having belonged to First Prebyterian Church since I was like 12 years of age, and the memories of my sister Kathryn. Usually the Session members shake hands with the new member - not with me - first person gave me a hug - so everyone got one.

Mark got quite used to my emotions rising up in church like when we presented a ghetto blaster to the Camp Quality director (Kathryn had attended one in Southern Ontario) - like it was natural Mark just took over in the presentation when I got choked up. Well, this morning, as Mark was talking with the children he got choked up - nice to know that I am not the only one who gets teary eyed at church.

All the best Mark and Susan in Woodstock. Thankfully with the internet we can still stay in touch. Thanks for being their for me during some trials I had to face too.