Monday,

August 2, 1993

Dear Friends of the Verona Congregation:

Sarah and I express our deep joy on your 190th anniversary of the Church of our Lord in the village of Verona! What a happy occasion to thank God for those early pioneers who envisioned a worshiping, witnessing and serving congregation of God. Likewise, it is a great testimony to the power of God's Spirit being alive and working in you as you praise Him for His Wonder-filled work among you and through you.

We do wish that we could be present this Sunday, but we are busy unpacking our boxes from our move here last Saturday. We chose Reno because our youngest son, David, who attended Oneida High School, lives here with his wife and two daughters. He is on the staff of the Washoe Medical Center in Reno.

Memories are flooding back into my mind. In the area of worship you were always understanding of my last minute arrival following worship service in Oneida Castle. Mrs. Anderson was always ready to help me by being ready to begin the Prelude as I came rushing through the door to begin the worship service. Your beautiful church building with its lovely door and spire pointing to God serve to focus our attention on God who gives us the high calling in Jesus Christ our Lord.

Sarah and I enjoyed working with the youth groups on our trips to Canada and Gore Mt. for sight-seeing and skiing. Our Verona youth group were pioneers in the movement, "Adopt A Highway Program" as they picked up the debris from the shoulders of the highway between Oneida Castle and Verona.

Part of the experiment in sharing a pastor was the forming of the council to monitor and to give shape to the work of the two churches in sharing a pastor. I remember some cold, snowy, evenings driving to session and council meetings.

Most of all, I remember what a blessed time I had in visiting you in your homes and being pastor to a loving congregation however brief those two years were. May this Sunday, August 8, 1993 be a joyous day as you celebrate God's faithfulness to you. His word promises that He has given you a future and a hope so your celebration is also a new beginning as His disciple.

We love and invite you to come to Reno to visit. Our address is: 3135 Fairwood Drive, Reno, NV 89502. God bless you and make your soul to prosper through His indwelling Spirit

Faithfully yours,

(signed)

Robert E. Stover