Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

 Mere words can never express my heartfelt thanks for the tremendous outpouring of your love for Karen and me during my illness.  The dozens and dozens of cards, the artfully done “get-well” messages from our children and young adults, your visits to the hospital, the yard care at our home, your gifts of food – especially during the visits of our sons and their families – gave us both courage and assurance that, by God’s loving grace, I would get well and return to serving you and our Church.

 Your many remembrances also demonstrate what a devoted and loving family we have at All Saints’.  I have always wondered why anyone would think that they could get along in life without a Church family.  Your love, inspired by our Lord, is a perfect example of what a Church family is all about.  We truly need each other in good times and in bad.

 I also want to thank the Vestry for making arrangements to keep me on the Church payroll during my absence.  I hope to return to work on a limited basis very soon and back on a regular basis as my health is restored.

 Finally, I have come to believe that the best way to remember and to honor someone at a special time is through a gift to your Church.  Karen and I often do this for events such as marriages, births, graduations, and funerals.  Therefore, Karen and I are making a special gift to the All Saints’ Endowment Fund, not as a “pay-back”, but as our thank offering to God for the love you have shown to us.  May God continue to inspire you to offer your love to our whole Church family.

 Faithfully yours,
 Gene +