Dear PPPC –

Thank you for the phone calls, the text messages, the emails, the cards, the meals, the gift cards, and the care packages you sent to my family and I over this past week and a half. I have not yet had the opportunity to respond to them all, but please know that they were received with deep appreciation.

A special thank you for the flowers, both from PPPC and PW, which were given at my mom’s service. They were beautiful and deeply meaningful – an expression of care, even from a distance; a loving embrace, at a time when we are not physically together.

I am also grateful to the Presbytery for procuring pulpit supply for last Sunday and then to Jim McGuire, who will be leading worship this Sunday.

…

A colleague sent me these words last week, attributing them to Dietrich Bonhoeffer…

“When a loved one dies, God comforts us enough to sustain us, but God leaves enough of the void and enough of the loneliness to help us anticipate the reunion in the Kingdom.”

I hope you might find them as meaningful as I do, for whenever you think of those beloved to you, who from their labors rest.

…

I am still in Missouri, with plans to return next week, and will see you in church on February 16th.

Yours for the journey,
Pastor Molly