Please Pray for Paul

Dear people of Gloria Dei,

If you have been at services over the past month, you've surely noticed the absence of our beloved organist, Paul Fejko. While I'm incredibly grateful for the talented musicians who have been filling in, Paul's experience and style are hard to recreate. So, I do hope you'll join me in keeping Paul in prayer as he navigates a major health crisis. 

A few weeks ago, Paul underwent brain surgery at Jefferson Hospital to address a mass that was blocking the flow of cerebral spinal fluid. A biopsy was taken, and this week he learned that the mass is cancerous - most likely a high-grade glioma. Paul is currently in the hosptial, where they are preparing for another surgery to place a shunt in the brain that will help to manage some of the worst symptoms that Paul has been experiencing. After that, he will be meeting with a neuro-oncologist  to create a treatment plan for the cancer, which will likely include radiation and chemo. 

When I visited Paul today, he was in fairly good spirits, and grateful for the good care he has been receiving. He was also thrilled that I brought him a sandwich from the Palm Tree Gourmet down the street from the church. He has a long journey ahead of him, but he is trying to see it as an adventure - and his doctors have said that he may be able to resume some aspects of normal life once he gets through the upcoming surgery and starts the cancer treatments. 

Please do continue to pray for Paul in the coming days and weeks. You can also get updates on how he is doing through the CaringBridge website. Paul's dear friend, Megan Bartlett, has set up a page for him and will post updates as the journey continues. You can access the page at https://www.caringbridge.org/site/1c10be45-8bb9-11ef-be3f-d70460db1976?utm_source=share&utm_medium=webm&utm_content=copylink_sitestart. I'll also be sure to share about potential opportunities to support Paul - and thank you to those who have provided him with meals over the past couple of weeks. Finally, please remember that you're always welome to reach out to me if you need someone to talk or pray with.

Blessings,

Rev. Chris