Friday, October 05, 2007

Bob has a call


Hi, All,
They asked. I said yes.
Last Sunday (9/30) I preached for the PNC of 1st Church Boonville, NY. After lunch, the committee met for what seemed like an awfully long time. When they called me back in, they invited me to become their Designated Pastor. I said yes.
In my mind, I'm saying YAHOO!
It's a 200 year old church of 121 members. The village of Boonville is about 35 or 40 miles NW of Utica, NY, about 25 miles NE of Rome, NY and about 3000 miles east of the Pacific Ocean. Boonville is a village of Victorian and older houses and buildings, surrounded by farms and hardwood forests, sitting in the foothills of the Adirondack Mountains. I'm told they have serious winter there.
Assuming trials and candidating go well, my ordination service will be on November 18 at Westminster PC in Portland. You're all invited--the more the merrier. Dates and places for trials are still being discussed between Utica and Cascades Presbyteries, but in any event will be the second week in November.
Stay tuned for more info about moving dates, start dates, etc.

While I'm celebrating, though, I have a deep concern for my friend Saw Than Win, my roomate in Oxtoby my last year at school. He is a pastor and seminary professor in Myanmar. As a result of the recent civil unrest, the ruling junta has pulled the plug on internet access for the whole country, so there's no way to contact him to find out if he's OK. I ask for your prayers for Saw Than and his family.
Peace and Blessings,
Bob

5 comments:

James said...

Bob...
EXCELLENT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I rejoice at your news. This congregation will be mightily blessed by your many gifts and talents! God is great!

Our prayers are with you as you and Sue discern the million and one 'next steps' you have before you.

I look forward to hearing how everything unfolds for you...the yard sales, the ordination service schedule, the packing, the moving, the re-settling, and the being 3000 miles from the Pacific.

Way to go!

Jenn said...

YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am so happy for you Bob! I really liked that church's CIF when I read it. CONGRATS!!!!!!

Take care and God bless :)

Anitra said...

yaaaaa hooooo! yipee! That's great!

steph said...

Let me also add my celebratory adulations!

WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!! Here you go! Blessings, indeed, as you prepare to come East, young man! Winter, schminter -- if I can do it, you can too!

Thanks, too for your reminding us of the craziness that seems so pervasive in this old tired world. I will remember Saw Than and the people of Myanmar in my daily rants with the Almighty.

Pastor Heather said...

Blessings Bob! God be with you as you take the next steps. Congrats!