Members and Friends of Austin Mennonite Church I pray you are entering into another week of service with joy and thanksgiving. Laura and I regret that we needed to depart so soon following the worship service yesterday. We arrived in Woodville just as the funeral was concluding at the church, so Laura did have opportunity to view her deceased aunt and share her feelings with family. We then accompanied the others to the cemetery and finally to the local home of a daughter where family and friends gathered. As we were preparing to leave the building here, I was caused to feel warmth and joy as I witnessed your caring and generous visitation with guests and those who have recently returned from travels. My spirit was blessed by your kindness toward each other. To all of you who shared yourself with the community during our worship together, I am grateful for your testimony and participation. Your ministry strengthened and inspired me. I realize my exceeding enthusiasm for the service caused the experience to extend beyond our usual time. My intention is to honor the time we have designated, and I apologize for this surprise. I desire to hear feedback from you about how this service impacted your worship experience and spiritual life. Please indicate whether or not you would like to see this kind of service become a recurring alternative for each fifth Sunday--one more this year (Oct) and four in 2005 (Jan, May, Jul, Oct). Also, there are opportunities for ministry in the worship service this next Sunday: Décor, Greeter, Worship Leader, and Children?s story. The remaining Sundays in September have these same possibilities for your participation. Please consider these and contact me if you believe this involvement will be appropriate for you. May it go well with you. Sincerely, Garland Robertson ...always hold firmly to the thought that each one of us can do something to bring some portion of misery to an end