Dear Ones at St. Johns,

As the years have gone by since retiring here in 2008, I have felt infused by love from so many "new" friends, as well as our opportunities to gather ecumenically. I am not only grateful, but am moved to tears with the friendships that I have and the ones I hear about among your congregation.

St. John's and First Congregational often lovingly clasp hands and hearts to be the hands and hearts of Christ. We've done that for years, both formally and informally by contributing to EpiscoGolf to enrich the funds that provide scholarships and so much more, raising monies with you at Animals Raising Funds for Food AARF Walks (gosh those are fun, and the Wakefield Food Pantry benefits!), joining each other "at the table" at the Pub a few years ago for "Pub Grub and Soul Food", attending services when a tree hit our church in a cold winter month and we temporarily had no power/heat, and inviting you to our worship service in humble thanks.

And now, people like me from FCCW, have growing excitement for the very forward-thinking effort that is taking place before our very eyes—your building project! I smile with joy and excitement as this creative structure incrementally grows more beautiful every passing week. It will be a joy to celebrate its completion with you.

May God bless our shared futures! Thank you for being who you are in this community.