A former member returns!

I would be remiss if I didn't report that the surprise return of one of our members was noted with joy on Sunday.

It's always feels like a loss when somebody leaves for whatever reason: whether it's a move elsewhere, in anger, a slipping away that becomes final, or even that it's a poor fit. But sometimes they return, and that's always a happy occasion.

In this case a couple moved away almost a couple years ago in a job-related move.

Yesterday she returned, having moved back to the area. What happened between then and now I do not know. In our chat Sunday I didn't ask; it's not my business. I got the impression there may be ongoing issues; if so, I hope she comes back actively.

Sometimes it seems we attract people struggling with issues (and sometimes our members have issues come upon them); but I have seen how the parish often reaches out to hold, comfort, pray for and support them in various ways. Sometimes things are restored and get better; sometimes not.

We're still human, we still fail (in big ways and little: I still haven't gotten around to fixing that gutter, for example), but to me our church feels like family that's trying.

So to our returnee I say: Welcome back -- we are so happy to see you again!!