Last fall, we celebrated National Pastor Appreciation Day by inviting all ages to write down on paper hands what they appreciated about our Pastor, Bill Van Oss.  We love our Rector and here is why!  Comments written on the hands:  
  Words of Gratitude for our Rector, Bill Van Oss on Pastor Appreciation Day  (spellings kept as is on children's comments)
  • Bill, we are so grateful for your ministry and friendship, love Maren and Tom
  • I love his teaching of compassion through example, Eirik
  • Bill is hands down the best pastor because he keeps us entertained by making everybody laugh which makes church fun and that’s why I like going- JR
  • Thank you for always making people laugh and always teaching about God
  • He passes on his example to those who fill the pews and he leads us into parish devotions and then back out to serve.  A smile on his face and a tune on his tongue- Bravo- Joel
  • Thank you for always making people laugh and teaching us about God
  • Bill always meets people where they are and shows us unconditional love. Leslie
  • Fr. Bill- Thanks for being nice, love Daniel
  • I love Bill’s sermons.  He has the ability to take a Bible passage I’ve heard many times and give me something new to think about.
  • I liked that he was my softball coach, Ike
  • Thank you for teaching and exemplifying inclusivity and unconditional love
  • Meaningful message, faithfulness, welcoming smile, sense of humor- Brian and Susan
  • I love Bill’s insight on complicated readings,  Somehow getting them to make sense
  • Thank you for being the face of Christ to us and our parents Susan Berguson
  • GENUINE
  • Thank you for your care for my parents and for inspiring sermons and for your joy! Claudia
  • Thank you Bill for your honest sermons, your tone of warmth, your authenticity, your respect, your open heartedness, and how you do called to the love of way!
  • You radiate love.  It is easy to see that you really mean love everyone, no one gets left behind.  Thank you, you are a people person
  • Inspiring, encouraging, humility, integrity, humor- you show Christ’s love. Thank you for all you do, you are awesome!
  • Fr. Bill I am grateful for your warm and kind smile each Sunday morning, thank you for all you do
  • With thanks for your leadership, empathy, and God Filled grace (your incredible hard work too) Zabelle and Bob
  • You are a gifted preacher; thank you Bill.  We deeply appreciate all you do, Love form the Halls
  • So appreciate that you make God’s word contemporary and relate lessons to our community and world
  • God bless you for your kindness, Art
  • I love how you blend the sacred and secular
  • Bill, thank you for leading our family on their religious journey- Diane M
  • Bill=calm, kind, caring, thanks you, Love Ann
  • Words cannot express all you have done for us and the family, thank you!
  • You’re a good priest, from Riley
  • Father bill, thank you so much for everything you do for us.  Your sermons are fantastic, Love Craig and Jean
  • I love that your eyes are always smiling
  • Thank you Bill for your caring and being so attentive and tuned in to your St. Paul’s family.  And thank you for giving terrific sermons!
  • Thank you for all you do! Judy
  • I appreciate that he fosters a community that is kind and loving.  I appreciate that he speaks about our lives and is always willing to offer encouragement. Joanne
  • Thank you for helping me with making my foil pet- Ricky
  • Father bill- many are the roles and duties of a pastor; I’ve know many starting at St. Raphael’s parish.  You are the equal of the best I’ve known.  Roger
  • Thank you Bill for all your inspiring sermons and for friendship and singing- Carol
  • Always a smile and a hello!
  • Thanks for always being there in prayer and in person- Judy
  • Bill- thank you so much for your service to St. Paul’s, you have done an A+ job, I particularly enjoy your sermons! Bill
  • You’re great- from Quinn
  • Thank you for sharing Christ’s love, Dennis
  • Thank you for always being here to listen. We’re so lucky to have you!
  • I appreciate every sermon.  Every time.
  • I like coming here because of you! Karl W
  • Father Bill, HANDS DOWN you’re the best! Trish
  • You are looking thin, take some time off! Too much work for one rector/priest
  • I so appreciate your kindness to those of us who have chronic illnesses- Marilyn
  • To Father bill- You are a great pastor, the time and energy you give is amazing.  You are very kind, considerate and giving.  We are fortunate to have you with us.  Your sermons are thoughtful, interesting and thought provoking. 
  • Thoughtful and funny- love Cooper and Asher
  • A calm voice in a world full of chaos
  • For your quiet ways you support all of us in our journeys.  Hugs for kids missing their dad, thank you
  • Bill you were the first person I met with, before become a member of St. Paul’s, thank you for being so welcoming.  Alan
  • Thank you so much for being a wonderful person
  • I like that Paster Bill is always their for us 
  • Bill is a good listener and I appreciate his openness to other’s ideas and thoughts, Beth
  • He’s a cool guy- Atle
  • He is fun and nice- Eliana
  • Sermons which are always infused with such wisdom and often reflect your quick wit and great sense of humor—Dolly
  • For our children and family- thank you for all you do- the Rouses
  • He is funny and lets us dunk him in the dunk tank.  He is friendly and nice and is the best pastor ever- Joe
  • Friendly, respectful, you know everyone’s name, very nice and you support us through all our journeys
  • Dear Bill, you are so loved! My family loves church because of you.  I love my job because of you.  Thank you so much for all you do for us. Rita
  • I like how he answers all our questions- Arna
  • Love your singing sermons.  Great attention getter and perfect pitch! Christabel
  • He kares for others- Matty
  • Thanks for being a friend and advisor and a holy man  BB
  • Thought provoking sermons!
  • Sincere in caring and helping others- Julie
  • My favorite thing about Fr. Bill is he is nice and funny- Evelyn
  • Thank you for your passion, clarity and generous and caring spirit, you enrich us all-Cris
  • It’s such a pleasure having you for a pastor- Marilyn
  • Bill- God has blessed us with the best minister ever! Thank you so much for all you do with love and gratitude- Connie and Bill
  • What I appreciate about Bill is that he is not afraid to speak up about something when something is needed to be said
  • Thanks to you and Sue for your leadership and care GJB
  • I like that he’s funny- Luciana
  • He is funny, easy to talk to and of course he is a great singer- the Fellman kids
  • Dear Bill- you are a joy to have here, you and Sue and Luisa are blessings- each one, fondly
  • You make St. Paul’s a very special place and have made us feel welcome and known since we became members.  We have celebrated our marriage and growing family with you and so many other special memories
  • Fr. Bill makes things interesting- Charlie
  • Thank you to our everything rector and spiritual leader- John and Kathy
  • Thank you Pastor bill for all the hard work you do to make the church a happy place for people to gather- Paul
  • Thank you for all you give to St. Paul’s- Laura
  • Thanks for all you do for all of us!
  • Appreciate all you do for us at St. Paul’s you are the best!
  • Thank you for a vocation well done- thoughtful, prepared, good mentor
  • Thank you for great sermons.  Also a huge thanks for being there for me in good times and not such good times, you are the best, Kathy L
  • He is welcoming! Catherine and Mark
  • Thank you for your cheerful and kind spirit that lights up the room, you rock! Nancy D
  • We appreciate Fr. Bill because he gets to know everyone and makes sure everyone feels welcome- Angelina and Audrey
  • Thanks for all you do for this church community.  You give our children the kind of example of goodness they need- the M-S’s
  • Thank you for always being so welcoming
  • I enjoy your sermons! Nelson
  • Thank you for your wonderful leadership and support Fred and Lou
  • I like when Bill teaches at forum, I appreciate that he takes time to attend community events
  • So very thankful for you, steadfast, funny, welcoming
  • Thank you for your ministry, and your welcoming presence and words of challenge and insight- we are so thankful for you
  • For all you do, this hand is for you- Don
  • Patience
  • Thanks Bill for your faith, love, joy and singing- Jean M
  • Thanks for teaching me the way of love by your words and actions, Marian
  • I love how Bill gives time to everybody and talks to kids in a way they understand- Kathy B
  • Bill you are one of the best clergy ever! Bjt
  • I appreciate your wonderful greeting the first time you see me each day
  • Thanks for always being joyful and kind and teaching us.  You are a great pastor and person- Emma
  • You are an amazing man! Thank you for all you do- Susan
  • He has answers! Evan
  • The best hands down! A pleasure to worship at St. Paul’s- Sally and Dale
  • You are a great leader and a great person- Bob L
  • He is always singing.  It has been educational, uplifting and just fun along these years.  I’ve learned great reframing words such as “a bump in the road” and see so many smiles because of Bill
  • Caring, great sense of human and genuine
  • A pastor with a sense of humor fits the BILL and vice versa
  • Love the jokes and funny stories- Charlie O
  • He relates the messages to today- Ryan
  • One thing I enjoy about bill is that he always knows how to lighten people’s day and make something good about nerve-wracking situations- Lexi
  • For all you do and for who you are, I am so thankful- Carrie
  • You are the best, and long may you be at the helm, Tom M
  • Thank you for being so supportive in 2016 as I tried to juggle work and numerous trips to Rochester- Sma
  • Keep up the good work!  Looks like the packers are going to reign in the conference!
  • I like how Father Bill is funny- Sigrid