It's Farewell, Not Goodbye
​
A Poem by Chip and Nancy Roach

They came from Ohio - the Coach and his Rosie
to this Chapel and its family with a Gulfside home here... things were lookin' really cozy.

And Larry with no  notes, he remembered the whole sermon
His messages of love, well, yes, he inspired
but we thought he'd forget... He had us all squirmin'.

After a while we thought it was what every preacher should do.
So, in the off season we'd go to hear another... and they'd look at their notes.
"Hey, our guy's better than you"

But its "farewell not goodbye" as the invitation said...
We hope to see you again in future seasons
but it's been a funny four years... and you've filled us with dread.

We almost got through to April that first year of your term
But the COVID thing came to us; it was a mighty strong germ.

But our Rosie, she told you, "Stand near the palms by the beach"
She held that iPhone straight and said,
"Why Larry, It's time you should preach"

A new star was born then and it's now a "tent show"
Billy Graham ain't got nothin' on our Pastor, you know.

Then more COVID came back, we wore masks across the nation
while our Capel and Larry became an Internet sensation

The Chapel has grown its worshipping crew
The Marshalls act was "Held Over"
they took a 3rd and a 4th year, too.

This last has been inspiring after a hurricane stutter
You showed up in January from Ohio
Our Sundays since then have our hearts all aflutter.

A couple more Sundays before we bid you adieu.
Now we say right to the Marshalls,

CAPTIVA LOVES YOU!