St. John's says good-bye to the Sanders'

FALLBROOK – On Nov. 7, the members of St. John’s Episcopal Church had the privilege of honoring the Rev. Canon Wayne F. Sanders and his wife, Kathy Sanders, for their steadfast service and passionate dedication to their parish over the past four years.

When asked about his ideal going away party, Fr. Sanders said, “One that involves the children of the church.”

So, the parish planned a gala barbeque with hot dogs, hamburgers, and all the fixings in the courtyard of the church immediately following the 10 a.m. service that Sunday. The head chef was the new Priest-in-Charge, the Rev. Mark E. Woodsum, and for dessert there were fancy ice cream sundaes. Stories, songs, and tributes were part of the fun.

“During the inevitable challenges of parish life, Fr. Sanders has always guided us with a deep faith, unconditional love, and a wonderful sense of humor,” said Senior Warden Gail Jones. “He is the ultimate pastoral presence, sharing fully in our joy, our pain, our hopes, and our dreams, and he possesses a remarkable ability to discern the Sprit within our midst. We have been truly blessed by his presence here at St. John’s Episcopal Church and we will miss him greatly.”