Last Friday Linda and I drove to Williamsburg, VA to attend the Eastern Region’s weekend getaway for pastoral couples. For us, it was like old home week since we last attended in 2007. We enjoyed seeing our old friends and meeting some new ones. This year the retreat drew a record number of couples, twenty-seven to be exact, which may say something about the right location. For the Rosenberrys (especially me) Williamsburg is a difficult destination to decline. Barb Harris, the ERC’s executive assistant, always does an excellent job putting this event together and this year was no exception.

The guest speakers, Pastor Greg and Bev Funk, talked about leadership in ministry and provided many helpful thoughts with examples drawn from their own ministry context. Greg grew up in our Central Manor church and now serves as the lead pastor for the Manheim Brethren in Christ congregation. Interestingly, he and Bev began their ministry in Maytown where we also got started, but our paths didn’t cross then as they went there in 1980 and we moved to Plainfield in 1979. Greg led sessions for us Friday evening and Saturday morning as well as Sunday morning. During the free time on Saturday afternoon some of the group went to the historic area to walk about. It turned out to be a very pleasant day and we enjoyed exploring the gardens in winter.

Strolling through historic Williamsburg

Everybody reassembled at Captain George’s Seafood Restaurant for the evening meal or should it be called a feast. There was so much food!

Enjoying dinner (L to R): Pastor Mark Halliday, Pastor Rob Wills, Pastor Paul & Kay Albert

I sat beside the CGGC king of snow crab consumption. It was a marvel to see him at work, so quick and efficient too.

Left to Right: Pastors Caleb & Christina Acosta, Pastor Steve & Dianne Dunn, Linda Rosenberry

Each night some of the group assembled for games like Balderdash and Catch Phrase. The champion prevaricator proved to be the bishop of Enola, imagine that. The weekend also provides opportunities to talk and share with each other, which just might be its best aspect. Linda and I especially enjoyed our evening meal with Tom and Judy Lucas on Sunday night. Most of the gang headed home after morning worship, but several couples stayed an extra night and left on Monday.

We traveled back to Carlisle Monday morning and stopped by our home there to do some necessary chores and visit our mothers. We left after supper for western PA and spent our overnight in Greensburg.

Entrance to the Allegheny Region Offices

Tuesday morning I met with the Allegheny Region’s administrative council to bring them up to date on CGGC happenings around the world. The response in the region to the earthquake in Haiti is most encouraging. Several churches have already raised over $1000 each and one has pledged to give $10,000 to the CGGC Haiti Emergency Fund (CCM 9300). I’m sure this will be repeated across the CGGC. The ad council also voted to release $1000 from their general fund.

The ARC Administrative Council prepares for their meeting: Pastors Rob Guy, Jim Leichliter, Kevin Hay, Ben Tobias, Wendell Grimm, Jim Monticue, Denny Arndt, Bob Adkins, Bill Smith and Lee Kline

In other action I was pleased to learn the region is sponsoring a second church plant. Before the meeting, I knew of one. Overall the ministry reports (camp, church development, finance, youth & family life, etc.) were all very positive.

When the meeting finished mid-afternoon Linda and I went back to the turnpike and steered our vehicle home to Findlay. It was a tiring four-hour plus ride, but we rolled into our Findlay driveway in time to unload and get out the door for Bible study at 8 p.m. We and the Drapers lead this weekly study for students at the University. This year we’re working our way through the gospel of John and have anywhere from ten to twenty students on a given week. Next week we expect to hold a baptismal service for a young man from China who recently decided to follow Jesus. The joys of ministry are multitudinous. I’ll tell more next week. Blessings!

Pastor Ed