FATHER CHARLES "CHUCK" WISSINK

This past week Fr. Chuck Wissink entered hospice care. Our prayers are with Fr. Chuck, Barbara, Sandy, and the Laman family during this time of holy transition. We will keep the congregation updated about Fr. Chuck's situation. Thank you for your prayers.

Fr. Chuck, like all our Associate clergy over the years, impacted our life in Christ in memorable and defining ways. Fr. Chuck is a gifted teacher, a former seminarian professor who brought a thoughtful intelligence to his exploration of scripture and our life with God. His preaching always left one feeling fed in mind and heart. I am also grateful for his pastoral support of my ministry as Rector. When I arrived at St. Gregory's, Fr. Chuck was a regular presence on the altar and in the office--offering his assistance wherever needed to support the mission and ministry of the parish and my ministry as Rector. This was an immense gift to me and St. Gregory's. But I believe his greatest impact was through his humor. His joy in relating humorous tales--he had an endless supply of hilarious stories and jokes--was contagious. He lit up the pulpit and lit up the table at the coffee hour with this infectious good spirit. He loved sharing this joy with children and adults alike. I fondly remember our five-year-old daughter Hannah dancing in delight at the presence of Fr. Chuck. To watch the two of them play together was to watch joy burst into life. In this, he modeled for us how one discovers and enters the Kingdom of God.

Thank you, Lord, for the gift of Fr. Chuck, for the difference he makes and made in our life at St. Gregory's. Well done good and faithful servant! You are deeply loved by us all!

In Christ,

Andrew+