We Have Had This Minister Before!
@DeborahDiane (40847)
Laguna Woods, California
September 16, 2018 5:39pm CST
After 50 years of service, the beloved minister of Laguna Presbyterian Church, Jerry Tankersley, retired. Until we have a new minister, which could take about a year, we have a retired minister by the name of Gareth Icenogle.
As soon as I heard his name, I thought it sounded familiar, but I could not place it. I assumed he was just someone I had heard about from another church.
Today was Rev. Icenogle's first time to preach in our church. I spoke with him as we left and told him that twenty years ago we had come to California from Dallas, Texas, where we were members of Highland Park Presbyterian Church, while Clayton Bell (the brother of Ruth Bell Graham and brother-in-law of Billy Graham) had been the head pastor.
Much to our surprise, we discovered that Rev. Icenogle had been an Associate Pastor there at the same time we were members.
It was a huge church, but now I know where I had heard his name! We have had this minister before ... in a different state, city and church!
Sometimes it seems like it is a small world!
6 people like this
7 responses
@MarshaMusselman (38865)
• Midland, Michigan
30 Sep 18
By the way, I like your new profile pic and hairstyle. I've needed to redo my pic and seeing yours got me doing just that.
1 person likes this
@MarshaMusselman (38865)
• Midland, Michigan
1 Oct 18
@DeborahDiane the one I had was blurry as it was too large I think. I don't change mine much
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40847)
• Laguna Woods, California
2 Oct 18
@MarshaMusselman - I can see your face better in this one. I like it.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40847)
• Laguna Woods, California
1 Oct 18
@MarshaMusselman - Thank you! I like your new picture, too. I think it is good to update our profile pictures every few years, just to keep things fresh and current.
1 person likes this
@MarshaMusselman (38865)
• Midland, Michigan
29 Sep 18
I run into the 'small world syndrome' all the time. That's cool that you went to the church he worked at back then even if you never heard him preach having something in common should make his placement easier.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40847)
• Laguna Woods, California
30 Sep 18
@MarshaMusselman - Yes, I try to chat with him about people at our old church for a minute or two after every service. I hope that does make him more comfortable.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40847)
• Laguna Woods, California
17 Sep 18
@allen0187 - Fortunately, I like him, so I am happy to have him, again!
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40847)
• Laguna Woods, California
17 Sep 18
@JudyEv - Sometimes, it has surprised me in the past to run into people by surprise. I never expected to know our interim minister, so this was a pleasant surprise.
1 person likes this
@RonElFran (1214)
• Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania
17 Sep 18
I'm sure it's a comfort to Rev. Icenogle to know there are people in his new interim congregation who already have a connection with him.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40847)
• Laguna Woods, California
17 Sep 18
@RonElFran - I didn't think of it from his point-of-view, but I am sure you are right. I bet he was happy to know there are people who already know and have a connection and a good impression of him.
@DeborahDiane (40847)
• Laguna Woods, California
17 Sep 18
Yes, it is nice that we had him before.
2 people like this
