Thursday, June 7, 2012

The Final Leg

0 Flats
0 Crashes
57 miles
On the Tonawanda Reservation


 Niagara Falls yesterday


A typical scene today

Today was the reason I like bike riding. Perfect weather (though too hot for Jeff Kane), wind at our backs and good roads. We made great time and felt good doing it. We met some really nice people along the way. Everyone we talk to wants to know where we are coming from, where we are going and why we are doing it. I think I see a window for long distance bicycle evangelism, though I think I'll let a younger person take that job. Thanks for all the prayers and support along the way and remember to prayerfully consider supporting the "Feed the Roots of Leadership" Capital Campaign of the Upstate New York Synod.

Blessings in Christ,
Pastor Jeff Silvernail

Side Trip Niagara Falls

2 Flats
0 Crashes
1 Tip over
48 miles

Sorry no pictures today, my camera is staying at a different place than I am.

Yesterday's ride to the Falls and then on to Clarance Center was pretty uneventful. (Yay!) So let me tell you a little bit why we ride. We are raising awareness of our Synod's Capital Campaign "Feed the Roots of Leadership" which is providing much needed help to 3 very important ministries: Outdoor Ministry (Camps and Campers), Campus Ministry and Seminary Education. Each one of us on the ride has been shaped by at least one of those ministries in significant ways that have moulded our faith and life. Along the way we stopped at LCLC and heard about the good things that are happening there. Last night we stayed at "The House" which is the home of the Lutheran Campus Ministry at University of Buffalo. We met Jeremiah who has been moved by our campus ministry and is now devoting his life to serve Christ and the church. We were hosted last night by Pastors Randy and Nancy Milleville. Randy's congregation has now raised $94,000 to support camping ministry, specifically LCLC.

We are putting on miles but more importantly we are collecting and sharing stories. These stories are ones of thanksgiving and hope.

Today we ride nearly 60 miles to the Rochester Convention Center and the Upstate NY Synod Assembly.

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Dunkirk to Eggertsville Synod Ride

2 flats
0 Crashes
48.5 miles




It was a much nicer day on the road yesterday. No rain - Hallelujah! Just a brisk NE wind, and guess which direction we were heading? That's right, NE. The champion rider yesterday was Pastor Josh McGuffie who rode from Eggerstville down to Evans to meet us at Tim Horton's and then guided us back to Eggerstville about 50 miles total. Last night at St. Paul's as we shared our stories over awesome food Josh added his, how he came to faith through a Lutheran campus ministry. I am delighted that the folks at St. Paul were excited about our cause, Feed the Roots of Leadership and the ministries it supports and were busy brainstorming on how to make the biggest impact for this cause among all the members of St. Paul's.

Today we take a detour riding up to Niagara Falls for some sightseeing and then on to Zion Lutheran in Clarance Center.

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

On the Road Jamestown to Dunkirk

2 Flats
0 Crashes
Lots of sore muscles

It was a miserable day to ride, cold, windy, rain and hills, but we made it through. Highlights include stops at St. Timothy (1st flat) and Lake Chautauqua Lutheran Center where director Lee Lindemann gave us the run down on all of the great things happening. Then the rain really started. The convenience store lunch helped and we headed back out as the rain turned to a mist. Our route then took us on a rails to trails route for 8 miles. Trail was a bit overstated, more like a path through the woods but it was good to get out of the wind. Finally the last push on the roads from Brocton to Dunkirk. In the evening we were hosted at Grace Lutheran Dunkirk for our first presentation. Then back to the hotel and the hot tub - Ahhhhh!

Sunday, June 3, 2012

Sunday Jamestown

Sunday June 3, 2012

I was the advanced party in Jamestown today. It seems that most other pastors actually have to work on Sundays! Actually I was pressed into service preaching at Immanuel Lutheran in Jamestown, NY. Immanuel is a congregation that I served as a transition pastor 4 years ago. It's what they used to call a vacancy pastor. They were happy to see me and I to see them. The weather out here has been really iffy. Quite cold with lots of rain and even some pretty intense thunderstorms. Actually the weather looks iffy for the whole ride. We will do our best. Right now I'm waiting for the other riders to arrive. Then tomorrow we rise and shine and get ready to roll. I'm sure I'll have more to report then.