This weekend our church said goodbye to two beloved people. Bob and Pat Portman have been at CPC forever! Bob has served as an elder and Pat has been our Pastor of Women's Ministry. Losing Bob and Pat is a big loss for us. The way they love, care, and counsel people has been amazing to watch. I first met Bob at my interview with the Elders before I was hired just about 10 years ago. During my interview I couldn't understand why Bob wasn't speaking? He wasn't asking any questions and I was getting a little insecure because I was filling the position that his daughter held! Little did I know that he was not an Elder yet, but what we call an Elderette. To become an elder at our church you go through a long process and during that process you are welcomed to be at all Elder meetings but are not allowed to speak for a length of time. When I learned of this I just laughed. But more important to me, is how Bob as cared for me. One of the things I have so appreciated about Bob was his phone calls to check up on me while I was taking on the high school ministry while we were high school pastorless. Every week or two, Bob would call just to check in on me, making sure I was ok emotionally, spiritually and what not. He continued to check in for about a year until some help came on the way. I know many people at our church have been on the receiving end of phone calls from Bob who called just to check in. Bob has cared and counseled many men and couples and a bunch of teenagers during my time at CPC. Pat has also been a huge part of CPC. I've had the privilege of serving along side of her on our pastoral staff. Pat is one of the best teachers of scripture I've listened to and learned from. I've sat along side her as well watching her counsel women, families and teenagers. She is a woman of great faith and of great prayer. When Pat says she is praying for you, she is! One of my stories I like to tell about Pat was when we were at one of our all church retreats. We had this big afternoon carnival out on the rec field. We had this boxing ring set up with those oversized boxing gloves that are as big as a person. So I challenged Pat to a boxing match! Pat is fierce competitor, but I didn't know that and in my mind I was thinking, "I'll take it easy on the old broad!" First swing out I knew I was in trouble! Pat came out in full force and caught me totally off gaurd and all I could think of was holy cow, this woman is strong and all I could hear was my mothers voice in my head saying respect your elders! Needless to say, Pat kicked my butt in boxing that day, but it sure was a great laugh!
So Bob and Pat as you retire, know that you are loved and will be missed! God's grace and peace to you both!
