After the morning worship service Sunday at the Christian Reformed Church in Emo, the congregation gathered in the fellowship hall for a potluck farewell for Pastor John Jongsma and his wife, Marie.
On behalf of the congregation, council chairman Peter VanHeyst presented the couple with a treasured gift for their home.
“Only after a short eight weeks we must bid them good-bye,” noted VanHeyst, though adding it was a fruitful ministry by the couple and they leave us with cherished memories.
Now it’s up to the church pulpit committee to look for a permanent pastor, which many believe is going to take much time.
Upon his arrival here, Pastor Jongsma had said, “God has been good to us and we are glad to be active yet in the ministry and especially here in the community of Emo.”
He had the same tone Sunday, adding it was a wonderful experience here and thanked the congregation for their response.
With the following words inscribed on the cake, “Thank you and God’s richest blessing ’til we meet again, and on the gift package, “God’s Love Awesome,” the congregation held the Jongsmas fondly in their hearts even though they were here only eight weeks.
The Jongsmas will be back to this area to visit, having purchased a trailer home at Budreau’s Oak Grove Camp in Rainy River and since their daughter, Diane Haak, of Thunder Bay is on staff a Riverside Health Care Facilities in Fort Frances as a family physician.
Diane and her husband, Clarence, have purchased the Daub farm at La Vallee.
Pastor John and his wife will be leaving this week for Hamilton, where he is on staff at the Flamborough CRC as emeritus pastor.
