O-H-I-O for the Weekend

I flew into Columbus, Ohio on Thursday. I was able to sneak in a sunset walk at the Columbus Park of Roses before getting dinner and settling in at my hotel. 

On Friday morning I got up and went to the Learning Gardens with a labyrinth at Ohio State University. And I traded in my usual Starbucks for a macchiato from Tim Horton's!

Then it was time to drive over to Camden, Ohio, and the real purpose of my visit. I was asked to officiate the wedding of one of the youth from Faith UMC in Hudson. Miss Rael was one of the first non-family babysitters for the boys and we attended a lot of her middle school basketball games. She and her fiance Wes live in Liberty Indiana but the wedding was at a venue called Timeless Charms just over the border in Ohio. 

We ended up at Wes' parents' house for the rehearsal dinner and it was a beautiful full moon night. After dinner we made s'mores out at the firepit. 

Then on Saturday, it was time for the wedding. I helped Rael's mom Leslie and her best friend Cory set up the reception space and hung out with the bride and the bridesmaids. We had all stayed at the venue the night before in a big rental house. The gorgeous arch here was welded by Wes' dad and decorated by his mom. They also made the doors that the bridal party entered through. 

It was so very special to be part of Rael's big day. 

Rael with her mom. 

Rael and Wesley had a great group of friends surrounding them and supporting them.

Leslie and I at the reception. 

Rael and Leslie had a sweet Mother/Daughter dance and Rael gave her bouquet to her mom for all of her support. 

And this was the star of the wedding. I didn't get a picture of him in his tuxedo, but Cooper came down the aisle at just the right time with the rings in a box on his collar. He is the very best behaved dog. 

Sunday morning I drove back to Columbus in time to hang out with some of my Larger family members. It's been 30 years since I've seen my Uncle Tom and Aunt Patty (and he is my godfather). 

We met up at their daughter Rebecca's house - I visited with Becca last year and it was so good to catch up with her and her boys again. These are her younger two David and Jacob - both in middle school and soon to be taller than me. 

 

Up and Down the Coast

Sunday started with worship at Pine Island UMC near Fort Myers. The Rev. Sharon Jones recently began serving there as an interim pastor. It was a great worship service. 

Then I drove up to Bradenton for our first Mission Field Charge Conference of the season for the Manatee East group at Trinity UMC in Bradenton - 6 churches gathered together for worship, communion and approving the business for 2027. 

Monday I spent at First UMC Bradenton meeting with the West Manatee Mission Field pastors for clergy one-on-ones. They had this very interesting plaque in the hallway outside the parlor where we were meeting - dedicated to the young men of the congregation who fought in World War 1. 

Tuesday I Zoomed from home and Wednesday I spent at the office. Also on Wednesday I had a breakfast meeting downtown with Rev. Nick Lee dreaming about the future of new church starts in our district.