To the editor:
I would like to take this opportunity to personally thank those of this community for the support you showed to my wife, Vivian, and me at our retirement banquet on Sept. 9. We were truly honored with the outpouring of your kindness.
Forty-nine years of preaching and 45 years of serving as senior pastor have been a blessing as well as a challenge, but it all was done to the glory of God. His protection and provision sustained us by his grace
To the countless people and a vast number of supporters, thank you. To our mayor, city manager and members of City Council, thank you.
To Pastors James Baber, Vaughn Foster and, most of all, Ivy Kirtdoll Smith, pastors who were determined to be a blessing and left no stone unturned, I lift you before the Lord for this day.
To the Calvary Community Missionary Baptist Church family, thank you for making us "Calvary Strong." To the entire Steubenville community, for 32 years, the attempt was to not walk over you, too far ahead of you and, for sure, not behind you, but to walk among you so that we would travel this road and to make this journey together.
Last and, for sure, not least, "V.J.," my wife, Vivian. Thank you for being my bedrock. You settled and calmed my fears and lifted my spirit in challenging and testing times, but through it all we weathered whatever blew our way. Thank you and, most of all, thank you, Lord.
Pastor Calvin McLoyd
Steubenville