Some of you may be saying to yourselves, "Amy's the minister's wife, how could she not say how wonderful we are?" Let me say this, six years ago when my family decided to relocate to Muncie, I had the final say. I chose you.

I don't know when it was exactly, but maybe it was that day during the candidate week when a cold rainstorm let loose. Having come from 9 years of draught in Texas, it did not occur to me to bring a raincoat, so Caroline Sullivan lent me hers.

When I reached into the pockets there were these dog biscuits, and, well you know, dog spelled backward…. The nice thing about dogs is that you always know where you stand with them. They growl if they don't like you and drool all over you if they do. I won't mention Elsa Reichle.

With people it's different; "puppy-love" is short-lived. The measure of a good master is how she treats her dog in the long run. The measure of a good family, church or nation is how well its members treat each of its other members in the long haul. I know the Sullivan's love their dog by the wag in his tail and the ball in his mouth. I know Mike walks his pal, Boo, on a regular basis, and Caroline's voice fill the room with kind-hearted laughter when she tells stories about him. Don't forget about those doggie treats in the pockets.

Now, I don't want to say you have treated Thomas like a dog, but...after your love and guidance, Thomas has grown in my estimation. Someone once said evaluation should be a process of lifting someone up. After six years with you I believe Thomas is a better minister and a better person. A church member shared with me that Thomas made him change his stance on gay marriage. The member did not think his mind could ever be changed on this issue. To ever change a mind is a rare accomplishment. I was touched when I heard this. Because you chose to be a welcoming congregation, you share in that accomplishment.

In the six years we've been here you have also loved, guided and encouraged two student ministers: Paul Brittner and Amy Kindred. As a wife of a former student minister, I can tell your leadership in this endeavor, to be a teaching church, warms my heart. Not all places are as warm, loving or accepting.

Finally, the best measure of an institution is how it treats the most vulnerable of its society: its children and its dogs. Molly was 11 when we arrived. This Christmas time when the choir began that sweet song of Santa Lucia, I turned to see my lovely young woman in her ceremonial gown and crown of candles. You have had a tangible hand in development of both of my daughters' development. It is not because her father is the minister that my elder daughter, Emily, wanted to come to you, her church family, and let you know she was leaving home on a world tour. It is because she loves you. The drought is over and we've had nothing but a rain of love from you—and dog biscuits. From the bottom of my heart to its top, I want to thank you.