"Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God." --Hebrews 13:7, The English Standard Version

     When Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast in August of 2005, the Rev. Thom Black, age 80, and his wife Doris, 75, lost their home in Slidell, Louisiana. All that remained were the few things–documents, medications, photographs, a few clothes and Thom's motorized scooter and walker—they had packed in their station wagon before escaping to their son’s home in Foxworth, Mississippi.

     "When we left, we thought we would be back in a few days, little realizing we would not see our home again," the couple wrote in their Christmas letter to family and friends. "Katrina was very unkind to us."

     Thom, along with more than 3,000 retired American Baptist ministers, missionaries and widowed spouses, received a Thank You check in the fall of 2005. His check went to a new address in Ohio, where the Blacks had relocated to be near their three daughters. Thom and Doris sent the following note to American Baptist congregations:

     "We received out Thank You check with gratitude following our great loss. Any gift we received was a blessing to us. We appreciate everyone who gives to this offering every year—it helps and blesses in many different ways."

     Thank You checks, as well as emergency financial assistance, are made possible by the contributions of American Baptist congregations to the annual Retired Ministers and Missionaries Offering (RMMO).

     The RMMO materials call us to Remember with Love, Give with Gratitude. I invite you to consider a generous gift to the RMMO when Grace Baptist Church receives it on Sunday, December 10 and Sunday December 17. Please use the enclosed envelope for giving to this offering.

     Your gift does make a difference.