An Event!

Father Richard, here at our church, had his 25th anniversary of his ordination this past week.
Our Senior Warden came up with this great idea of each of us making a scrapbook page of memories to put together for him. This is the one I made. Not my best work, really not, but it isn't bad either! I put pictures of some of the adventures we have been on together just in a jumble and then of coarse the shot of him baptizing Belle. That is my favorite!
Did you see the "world famous comedian" he is sitting next to at the beach?
Yup that is Michael Orton-Toliver!
He was just back from Germany and came down to spend time with us.
How amazingly lucky! So I had to add that shot!

Okay so here is the beginning of the evening. Tables were set outside with beautiful sunflowers on each. There were plates and plates of desserts and other wonderful dishes parishoners brought to help celebrate the evening. We had 3 or 4 huge plates of different kinds of shrimp even! Oh there was one that would just melt in your mouth with flavors that sang! I have no idea who made it but I will find out! It was AMAZING!

It was still so incredibly warm that we went inside for the presentation of his gift. We started with a prayer from a fellow priest that was so beautiful. He blessed the next 25 years of Godly work for him. It was touching. Patricia, the Senior Warden, is standing on the right next to the robes that represent the gift that did not show up on time. The thought was there though, and he will get the robes shortly. Oh my gosh were they expensive! I will say that after 25 years of service, he definitely deserves it!

Here he sees a picture of what he will receive physically very soon.

Then the sun went down, the candles were lit, and the celebrating got started!

Congrats Father Richard!