The Joys of Leadership

A couple of years ago I was able to preside at a marriage for one of our members whose parents I had married some 27 years earlier. Last month, I married a young bride whose parents I had married in the same month 30 years ago, and Lucille Gill was also the organist at the wedding. How cool is that!

Since I have been here over 30 years I have married parents, baptized their children, confirmed them, married them, and then even baptized the grandchildren.

The relationships I have been a part of have been truly amazing.

But it also means that I have lost good friends as part of this congregation. I had met Harry Gandre when Sharon and I first visited the church back in 1991, and I then had to preside at his funeral recently. Just this week Doris Cameron died up in Lima, Ohio. Doris and her husband, Howard, were at worship every week for many, many years, and now Doris joins Howard as they rest in the promises of the resurrection.

But being part of people’s lives and deaths is the heart of our ministry together. We gather together at great celebrations and then we hold each other in times of grief and sorrow.

I count both of those moments as times of incredible joy. Joy to celebrate and mark the high points of our lives, and joy to mourn together in the promises of Christ’s love.

Thank you for all the ways you continue to share your lives with me. The joy and compassion that comes from knowing all of you continues to lift me up every day.

In Christ,

Pastor John D. Morris, Senior Pastor

Celebration of Life for Doris Cameron

Calling hours will be on Thursday, May 16 from 5 to 7 pm at Ferguson's Funeral Home in Plain City

Friday, May 17 at Prince of Peace
10 to 11 am Calling Hours
11 am Funeral Service 

There will be a graveside committal at Plain City Cemetery followed by a meal in the Fellowship Hall.

You may read the obituary here.