10th Anniversary

This is a picture of picture in my photo album, taken ten years ago, on January 27, 2001. It was a beautiful, sunny day in San Juan Capistrano. And it was one of the best days in my life, as some 200 people from Community Presbyterian Church in San Juan, 1st Pres in Fullerton, Immanual Pres in LA, Brentwood Pres in Brentwood, Claremont Pres in Claremont, and Los Ranchos Presbytery came to give thanks to God and participate in my service of Ordination as Minister of Word and Sacrament.

This day was the culmination of the part of my journey which began in 1986 when I walked into the doors of Community Pres. following the end of life as I had known it for the first 44 years of my life. This faith community surrounded me with God's love and support, and called me to ministry, first as a deacon, then elder; and when the letter from SFTS/SC came, sent me off to seminary.

There began my new life. You've heard it said that life begins at 40. Well, my life began at 50, when I entered seminary. That next six years were some of the best years of my life. Continuing to work for the church half-time while taking classes half-time. The 4-1/2 years at 1st Pres in Fullerton brought more people into my "family". And, my internship at Immanual is another of the best years of my life. What an awesome body of Christ you are.

More family members gained in the 2-1/2 years spent at Brentwood following graduation in '98. And, then, it was time to accept God's call to ordination and Interim Assoc. Pastor for Claremont Pres. And my dear, dear "family" from all 5 churches came to celebrate with me. Especially meaningful was the fact that the praise band from Brentwood came to lead us in our singing. And so many of you traveled for an hour or more each way in LA traffic on your one day off to be there!

Today, I give thanks to God for the blessings of the past 25 years of ministry, before, during and after seminary and ordination. I give thanks to God for each and every one of you who have shared the journey with me every time I think of you!