Dear CCOV Family and Friends,
As I am missing you all this summer, I pray for you daily. We are all so saddened by the passing of our beloved Jerry Sytsema. On Sunday I spoke with Gail at her summer home in Maine, and she is having her ups and downs, as anyone who has walked the path of grief well knows. She is grateful to have her family around her. Jerry’s celebration of life service will be at Deer Isle Sunset Congregational Church in Maine on August 3. Our own Bob Simington will attend. I thought it would be nice if we could share some memories or thoughts about Jerry and have Bob or the officiating pastor read them at the service. Please email me a memory or anything you would like to say about Jerry ASAP, and I will compile them into an offering from CCOV.

I look forward to being with you at 10 AM in Hayden Hall this Sunday, July 15. We will worship together informally and celebrate communion. If you would like to read ahead, the scripture is Mark 6: 1-13. I will be talking about “baggage.” Jesus orders his disciples to travel lightly when they go out proclaiming repentance, casting out demons, anointing the sick with oil and curing them. We will talk more about the baggage we carry through life and how having faith means worrying less about taking our own provisions. This may be helpful for all of us during the summer months of increased travel! I’ll see you all on Sunday!
Grace and Peace,
Rev. Sandi