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Dear friends,

It is February and January flew by with lots of exciting things like a snowstorm.  It is also the month of Valentine’s Day on Feb. 14th, so for those of you who haven’t bought a card or gift for your loved one, you may want to start looking around now.

I am sitting in my office reflecting on where I have been over the past two weeks. With the permission of the church I was in Pittsburgh, PA taking a couple of classes on Biblical Studies and Homiletics (the art of preparing and delivering sermons) at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. 

I have been in a Doctor of Ministries program since before I began working at Calvary Baptist Church.  I will have one more two-week set of classes at the end of August and into the first week of September. Finally, it will be time to write my dissertation which could take anywhere from six months to a year to do.  I am studying the Eastern Christian Church with the hope of one day working ecumenically with the Protestant, Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic Church to reach the world for Christ. 

While in Pittsburgh we had the snowstorm of 2026 and for three days were snowed in having In-Person classes canceled but taking classes on Zoom instead.  Our church also cancelled our In-Person Service on Jan. 25, but continued with our regular Zoom Service.  It is amazing how even a snowstorm can ‘t keep the church from meeting with the help of the Internet! 

Just a brief an update on my family: Sarah, our daughter, is now in North Carolina training with Samaritan’s Purse as she prepares to go to work for a two-year Apprenticeship somewhere in the world.  After that, or even during that time, she will select where she wants to work for a career, helping with Humanitarian Disaster Relief. Sarah studied this profession during her Master’s Program at Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois.  Our son, Andrew, continues in his internship at Agilent Technologies in Wilmington, Delaware.  His internship will finish sometime in the late summer.  He is using his skills in Film and Media as he helps promote his company while working with their ‘Creative Team’.  My wife, Janet, continues to pastor a church in Elmer, NJ and also in her work as a chaplain at two hospitals in Voorhees and Marlton, NJ.

As I look out my office window I see the beautiful snow, which is a sign of God’s activity in our world.  Snow comes and covers the earth in the winter, and by spring, melts away having watered the earth.  May God bless you and your families as we come to the period known as Lent on Wed. Feb. Feb. 18th.  Lent is a time to prepare our hearts for the upcoming Jesus’s betrayal, trial, crucifixion and resurrection.

Looking forward to seeing you at Church, at a Lenten Event, or on Zoom.

Sincerely in Christ,

Pastor Dwayne