My Dear Friends,

As summer begins and our paths veer differently, a part of my heart will remain in our town and community. A part of my soul will remain in the midst of this church and its legacy, and I remain deeply grateful for your love, your willingness and your fellowship as much as, at times, your forgiveness.

Thank you seems both mundane and so inadequate for the gifts of the heart you all have shared. I am honored and humbled.

Thank you for the most extraordinary opportunity to know, lead, care for and envision for this fellowship. So, as the baton is passed to an interim, I'm sure his or her gifts can build on what we have done together.

Thank you for the surprise party!!   A real surprise indeed; the awesome cake-shaped precisely like our church, the tributes from Bob and others; the gift (and, yes, I will use it as promised....really!!)....and, of course, the warmth of the gathering.

Now it is time to dream!! Take to heart our 280+ year legacy and embrace our mission as a church. As Walt Whitman said, "Venture out boldly into the sea; are they not all the seas of God."

Dream for your ministry together and watch for the Hand of God! You shall always be a special people to me and as I head to (the heat of) Alabama, I will retain the joy of Halifax Congregational Church in my heart.

May God bless you....everyone!! each one!! May the peace of Christ rest in your hearts and in your midst as you embrace your voyage as a church together embrace your Lord as a basis.

I bid you peace!!

We All Love Pizza!!!

Photo Credit M. Hardy

Well, perhaps not all of us, but the vast majority of Americans love those cheesy pies!  True, it is believed that pizza originated in the Naples region of Italy, but immigrants brought the recipe with them and it has become as diverse as this nation itself.

Indeed, pizza has been exported all over the world, and has culinary followings in places as far away as Chile and Australia. While the nutritional merits of the pies may be dubious, you do get antioxidants in the tomato sauce and, depending on the toppings, a fair amount of protein or fiber.

But the food is fun, like summer!  

In the Halifax setting, we have Bella Pizzeria, BR's Sub and Pizza, Mama Allottas and Purple Eggplant to choose from. Some of us are courageous enough to make our own homemade varieties. Whatever the choice, pizza has become such a staple of our diet that it is impossible to ignore. Why is this writer making this post? Perhaps he has a craving for the pies as he writes!

www.pizzashops.info 

dictionary.com  

Respectfully Submitted, M. Hardy