I am often brought back to this verse, but tonight, God started me thinking in a new direction. I tend to romanticize the historic Church, you know, those brothers and sisters that have already gone on ahead, from Stephen to Macarius, to Nicholas, Polycarp, the martyrs of the Russian revolution, and then more recent ones like Corrie Ten Boom and CS Lewis, but tonight God had me thinking of the newest group of "witnesses", you all. I can't help but think back over this last year, and the trials and struggles I've gone through, and how so many of you were there to offer your prayers, kind words, and support. So many of you encouraged me, but there have been so many others who needed support, and this was the place it really it seemed to take root. I remember how we all bought windows for a woman in New Orleans, under the guise of buying a silly purple sleeping bag. I am still haunted by the struggles Virginia and Bill have gone through and how I've learned so much about love, faithfullness, and endurance from them. I've felt the joy in Heathers youthful love, shared the stirring up that Kathy so dearly loves, and been sucked in by Mary Ann and Cathy's wonderful reparte`. I've loved Daves transition from being focused on his addiction, to his desire to follow Christ, rejoiced in Rosie and everyone elses teasing of Rich's redneckisms, and taken walks with Voice and Bay his dog. We have been so richly blessed by the efforts of a group of idealists who were able to put their idea of a technological church in place.
 
So here is a great cloud of witnesses, finding a way to live out Christs prayer in John 17,