I was saddened to hear this morning that the Rev. Michael Welch, his wife Julie and their two children were killed in a car wreck yesterday in tornado-ravaged Macon County. Rev. Welch used to pastor First Christian Church here; I didn’t deal with him too frequently, but he seemed like a nice fellow and was well-loved by his congregants here. I believe that Julie was instrumental in starting the Community Bible Study here.

Traffic was backed up because of the tornado damage, according to AP, and a van was rear-ended by a tractor trailer. The van was crushed between two tractor-trailers.

My condolences go out to their family and to all of their former parishoners who mourn them.