Pastor's 20th anniversary

On Sunday October 25 Second Congregational Church celebrated the 20th anniversary of Reverend Mary Lee-Clark becoming our pastor, in 1995. After worship, the congregation gathered in the social hall for a sumptious buffet potluck lunch. What a variety of delicious edibles that came in pots, casseroles, salad baskets and cookie tins! Pastor Emeritus Tom Steffen offered the blessing, then the program and presentations began as people ate. Various members of the 1994-95 Search Committee which had called Mary to be our pastor took the microphone and revealed some of the highlights, near misses, and unexpected occurrences that happened during the Search, convincing them that the Holy Spirit was an invisible presence on the Search Committee’s endeavors. Lorna Cheriton read verses composed for the occasion, beginning with the stanza:

She is our well-loved pastor
who has been here twenty years
through births and deaths and struggles
through triumphs and through tears...

The centerpiece of the dessert table was a beautiful chocolate cake made by Dara Lindley, a professional pastry chef. Mary was given a basket of cards written by various members of the congregation, a box of chocolates, flowers placed on the altar in her honor, and a card with many signatures of congregation members. We concluded with Popcorn Praise during which people called out words that they think of in connection with Mary.

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