I hated to let our pastor, Claire, go from Mount Bethel, but she was ready to complete her retirement. I am very thankful that she backed off on that for five years so we could have her in our pulpit. She had very concise and inspiring sermons, AND she could sing in the choir! So, on Sunday, July 4, 2021 we met our latest angel from God, Bob Tobias. I looked up the name Tobias and it is a translation from the Bible that means ‘God is good.’ Neat! On Sunday, July 11, Mount Bethel welcomed our newest pastor and his family with breakfast and we all got to visit with them. I did NOT eat the delicious biscuits, sausage or the fantastic breakfast casserole. I arrived late so I would be able to abstain a lot easier.

I complimented Roxanne on her crisp accent as I had heard her delivering some church news via our calling post. She had enjoyed the e-mail I’d sent them about my Mount Bethel beginnings. I grew up in Jackson Methodist where we had a pipe organ and always sang from the hymnal. So, I was a tad curious when I came to my future husband’s church and heard gospel music for the first time. I know I’ve bragged on how much I now love it! I still grin when I remember asking him where the ladies room was and he shrugged as he told me there was an outhouse. But I knew I had found my next church home when I started dipping into all the amazing casseroles, fried chicken and homemade pies, plus lots more on that 1959 Homecoming Sunday.

Even after my first husband took off when he learned we were going to have a third child, I stayed at his church. Years later, he came back to the only church he’d ever known and he and Norman became friends. While I was down the hall teaching toddlers, Norman and Douglas sat together in the Gleaners Sunday school class. Later, when Norman had a heart attack, Doug cut our grass until Norman was back to normal. And of course, we shared our family gatherings with my three sons’ Dad. I’m glad that we always got along and he got to be part of his family again. I’m sure that was due to us belonging to the same welcoming and warm church.

I know our new pastor already feels welcome and believes he’s found a congregation of helpful and loving Methodists. He’s already familiar with the sound system, and enjoys sharing some humor with his new church family. Bob is also very tech savvy and I’m glad I get his sermons via my laptop. I don’t like to miss church, but if rain threatens, I am not daring enough to get out due to my still slightly wobbly leg. (I Was SO happy the last two Sundays that Mother Nature restrained herself until I could get back home.)

I’m glad Bob sends up good prayers for us too and I appreciate him naming those who need our care and blessings on them. It looks like Mount Bethel got another spirit, thanks to the North Georgia District. I’ve had so many competent and deeply Christian pastors over the years. I still think of their sweet faces, and the special talents they all had as I look back in joy. We have been SO blessed at my sweet church! And, I am hoping, and praying, that America gets back into being dedicated to a sanctuary, reading His book, and savoring the joys of being a Christian. I will keep lifting those prayers, and I ask that my Henry County friends all do the same. We need to go back to a one nation under God where all love one another too!

Beverly Wittler has four children, eight grandchildren and one great-granddaughter. She lives in McDonough.