The night before, it was an honor to gather with some former Bishops, call came for Paul’s service. A gathering of Paul Blom fans. To my left is retired Bishop Jon Anderson and his wife Robyn Sand Anderson from Minnesota. Jon was associate pastor at Kinsmen when Paul was senior pastor. Across from them are retired bishop Murray Finck and his wife Rhoda from California. Murray served on the Conference of Bishops with Paul. On the far right is retired Bishop Mark Holmerud from California. Mark had Paul for confirmation when Paul was a pastor in Del Mar, California.
The day of the service, Christ Georgetown Pastor Drew Ingram was gracious enough to let Pastor Jim Hinkhouse and I use his office. You can tell a lot about people from their office, so I snapped some shots (including the executive powder room).
Pastor Jim Hinkhouse presided. We were honored to be asked.I am thankful for the gracious hospitality of the people at Christ Lutheran, and for the musical leadership, which included Bryan Rust, who directed the F Melius Christiaansen arrangement of Beautiful Savior.Most good things that happen in the church require a battery of dedicated volunteers.
The service was well attended by a touching array of people. Besides the family, friends, and members of Christ Georgetown, there were members from Kinsmen Lutheran Church in Houston, where Paul served, colleague bishops from around the country, pastors, deacons, and members of the Texas-Louisiana synods. Former members of Paul’s staff when he was bishop, Sally Ahrens and Deacon Peggy Hahn. Former ELCA secretary Lowell Almen came from Phoenix and formore ELCA vice president, Carlos Peña from Galveston.
The remembrances
The Scriptures were read by the five grandchildren.
After the service, as people gathered for the reception, the family held a private committal, without photos.
The reception provided a time for people to catch up and comfort one another.
Deacon Bill Krejci, left, Mark, Hanson, and Terri Richter from Kinsmen, rightPastor Brad Fuerst, Sally Almen, and Carlos Peña chattingPastor, Cheryl Lamaak and friendsPastor Brad Fuerst and Carlos PeñaRhoda Finck, Debbie Tiemann, Diane Peña, and Robyn Sand AndersonRhoda Finck, Debbie Tiemann, Sally Almen, Diane Peña, and Robyn Sand AndersonFormer ELCA Secretary Lowell, Almen, former bishop Murray, Finck, and retired pastor David RoschkePastor Peggy Ogden Howe meeting Lowell AlmenPastor Chuck and Barb Kindsvatter meeting with friendsPastor Mike Weidner and former Synod staff member, Sally AhrensPastor Beth Marie Halvorsen meeting with formore Gulf, Coast Synod secretary, Brian ReinhardtPastors, David Roschke, Brad Fuerst, Ray Tiemann, and Murray FinckPastor, Brad Fuerst, Marie Blom, and Sally and Lowell Almen
