Nothing Says Goodbye Like Food

Today was my last offical day interning as a pastor at Providence UMC in Goldsboro, NC. It one of those days that I'm sure I'll be processing for a long time. It was full of hugs, tears and many long goodbyes.

It is hard to believe that in only 8 months I learned to love another group of people. My send-off included being presented with a clergy robe (I was so shocked and honored that they would do this for me!) and the largest potluck spread I've ever seen. There were feet and feet of food... it was incredible.

All in all, I walked away from this significant experience of this year proud of all I had learned and thankful for such an accepting people to call me their pastor (if even just for a short time). My dad even came up from Alabama to share the day with me. . . so, there were two Baptist preachers in the house this morning. It was quite the day!

I've included some photos of the food fest below:
The first is of Bro. Joe (aka my father) and me. (Do we look related?)

I mean, who wouldn't love this grub? It was amazing!
The picture below is of two of my most favorite church members: Danny and Lynette. Read about their story here.

I just wish that every seminary student would have the opportunity to have such affirming church experiences as I've had over the past three years. I dare being too evangelical when I say that God has done GREAT things even during this year that I was just "trying to get through."