Dear MCC Richmond Family,

What a festive 44th Anniversary Celebration we enjoyed together last Sunday. It was the perfect weather and a fantastic way to celebrate and give thanks for all that God has done in the life and ministry of MCC Richmond. It was also a brilliant way to honor and give thanks for all that God has accomplished the past six years through us as pastor and people. Kirk and I enjoyed worship, visiting with you during the Block Party, and reading the many cards of good wishes and expressions of love.

All week as Kirk and I have been packing up our house and finishing up in Richmond, we’ve been talking about how much we enjoyed last Sunday. Everything was just perfect. MJ Simmons did a phenomenal job getting approval for permit and details with the City of Richmond, planning and organizing volunteers for set-up and clean-up and various activities. Carol Anderson worked hard to secure the Fantabulous Chef food truck … which really was fantastic with fresh delicious food cooked before our very eyes ... she also made sure we had music for line dancing and entertainment and more. Gloria and Teresa Snow took pictures of you with Kirk and I’s ‘look alikes.’ Loretta Mountcastle worked hard during the week cleaning out, mulching, and sprucing up the tree boxes and gardens around the church. Chuck Bateman created beautiful flowers arrangements for the sanctuary and he and Miss Ricki decorated the sanctuary with taste and eloquence. Miss Ricki did her usual creative and fantastic job with the fundraiser 44 and more … inspiring us to raise over $4900 to go toward the ceiling plaster repair and new carpet in the sanctuary. Join me in thanking this servant leadership team who worked so hard and insisted our celebration be everything it was meant to be. Certainly, I missed thanking others … please know your efforts of love are not missed. Thank you, thank you, thank you to all of you who had a part in the festivities of the day.

This celebration was a wonderful way to usher in the next chapter in the life and ministry of MCC Richmond and to send Kirk and I to Minneapolis and All God’s Children MCC in MCC Richmond style. Our hearts are full with gratitude and love for all of you.

Keeping sharing and spreading your glitter and love of God, be sure to get into some good trouble, and whatever you do … try not to behave.

Many blessings and much love!

-Pastor Kenny Callaghan and Kirk Blandford