JUDA - For a decade, the Rev. Tom Miller spent his Sundays serving as pastor for the Juda Zion and Oakley Union United Methodist churches.

But this Sunday, he will say good-bye to the congregations that he considers family. Parishioners are planning a potluck dinner for Miller, who is retiring under disability, and fighting cancer.

"It will be a farewell and it will be emotional," Miller, 62, said. "I'm getting cards and phone calls from people who are telling me things that are getting me choked up."

Those who organized the event in his honor say they wanted to do something special.

"The farewell potluck will recognize him for what he has done, not only for the church, but for our community," said Patt Carter, co-event organizer and church member. "We want him to have much recognition from the community he touched."

Last summer, Miller was hospitalized with kidney stones, and was later diagnosed with bladder cancer. He spent 34 days in the hospital that summer, and said those days are now hard to recall.

"I was in and out of reality," Miller said, adding that his symptoms began to ease after his bladder was removed. "I appreciated all the people who came and visited me."

Miller said he and his wife of nearly 28 years, Trisha, pleaded with his doctors to allow him to be released from the hospital for his daughter Rachel's wedding last July.

After chemotherapy, Miller and his doctors thought he would be in remission.

"I hadn't planned on retiring, I planned on working until I couldn't any more," Miller said.

A few months ago, Miller said, he was re-diagnosed with Stage Four bladder cancer. It was a setback, but faith and Trisha have kept him going.

"She's the driving force behind my health," Miller said. "She's very important."

Miller has remained busy serving, not only at the church, but through a jail ministry, and visiting nursing homes one or two times a month. He's also been active in the fire department and EMS. The Millers also are part of The Monroe Theater Guild, where he has acted in productions.

The Millers have three children and two grandchildren.

Miller received his master of divinity in Bible missions from the Philadelphia College of Bible in Philadelphia, Pa. in 1974. After serving as pastor and interim pastor in Pennslyvania, New Jersey, Florida, Canada, and in Platteville, he came to Juda in August 2001.

Carter said it will be difficult to see Miller leave the pulpit.

"He is easy to respect because he knows so much," said Carter. "He is very well read. He is a true leader of faith."