my dad’s last sunday

Today is my dad’s last Sunday serving as senior pastor at St. John UMC in Anchorage, Alaska. On Monday, he becomes the superintendent for the Alaska Conference.

Our family packed up our things in Soldotna, Alaska in the summer of 1999. We walked around the house, sharing memories from our 8 years there. I remember Ryan was the most upset about leaving. He refused to get in the car.

We made the 3 hour drive north to Anchorage and 9051 Cathedral Place. I remember Alisha, Aubree and Jake showing up to help us unpack.

And 10 years later as we close this chapter, I remember…

Sitting in the triangle room in youth group with Rose and great friends
Working on the fall auction each year – we all wanted to be Vanna White and parade around
Seeing the new gym & classrooms being built
Singing with Randy McCurdy and youth group in the sanctuary
Having 30 youth in our teen Sunday School class in the orange room with Von & Ruth
Coming to church after several proms with my hair still done up
Meeting Alisha – we were inseparable – I miss her so much
Dancing with my sister on Father’s Day one year
Playing piano in the sanctuary when no one was around
Movie nights with friends
Monday lunches with the staff before staff meeting
Proms with my youth group friends
Preaching
Saturday night service becoming the Sunday night service
Youth Sundays – preaching, skits, music
Taking people home from movie nights
Dad doing sermon in a sack with the kids in the summer
Mission trips to Homer and Fairbanks
Shaking Bob Smay’s hand every weekend
Sitting with mom in worship – I learned so much about faith by watching her worship God
All the liturgical dances we did – some of my favorite moments in the sanctuary were all of us laying down, cranking the song way up, closing our eyes, and thinking of choreography
Camp at Birchwood – I will never fully appreciate how much I grew in my faith at this place
Anchorage College Ministry – retreats, friends, discussions, trips
Talking with Dad in his office
Staff birthday lunches
Flying up for Mom’s surprise 50th birthday party
Working at St. John during summers in college – piano, communications, youth
Girls of God nights 🙂
My fiance proposing to me in the sanctuary!!
Preaching with Dad
Singing/playing On Eagle’s Wing at the end of every service
The wonderful people who continue to make St. John the most welcoming church I’ve ever experienced

I’m sad I can’t be present today for the celebration. But I’m there in spirit. St. John is the place I felt a call into ministry. The place where it was nurtured. Such great people!