Here I am, Lord. Send me. [Isaiah 6.8]
September 1, 2015
Dear Friends,
With both sadness and excitement I am writing to say that I have been called to serve as Interim Rector at Calvary Episcopal Church in Williamsville. My last Sunday at St. John’s and St. Andrew’s will be October 25th; my first Sunday at Calvary will be November 1st. Deacon Rocky will continue his ministry at St. Andrew’s and St. John’s.
We have been taking steps during the past couple of years to plan for this transition, even though we did not expect it to come so soon. Both Vestries are already scheduled for a joint meeting with the Covenant Team on Monday September 28th. At that meeting, in addition to approving a Covenant Agreement for 2016 and arranging for collaboration on your separate Disaster Preparedness plans, we will discuss the logistical details for this transition, including plans for farewell parties and the Farewell Liturgies on October 25th. Lynn Schauer-Bewley, Doug Wintersteen, and Jim Alessi will communicate with you about these details after that meeting.
The Diocesan Transition Office is making plans for Interim ministry at St. Andrew’s and St. John’s beginning in November. We will know more about those plans by the end of September. After your Interim has begun, your Wardens and Vestry will work with a Diocesan Transition Consultant to take steps in preparing to call your next priest: This transition may be 9-18 months.
Let us turn our attention now to our time together in the next two months. Now is the time to be sure we have in place plans for our Confirmation class in preparation for the Bishop’s visitations in April; now is the time to plan for home visits and pastoral support for both congregations; now is the time to plan the year’s adult education program for both congregations; now is the time to strengthen your covenant and ensure that your shared ministry continues; now is the time for each person to offer your experience, your hope, and your time to the new life that will be coming forth. And now is the time to take time – to visit, to remember and to tell stories, to sing and to pray, and to plan celebrations in thanksgiving for all that God has made possible for us, separately and together.
This will be a new experience for all of us. Even though many of you have greeted and said farewell to priests over the years, our communities are different than they were 10 years ago. Each congregation is stronger financially and spiritually, more clear about your mission and purpose, and more ready to explore what God may be calling you to become. When I came here 10 years ago, I was newly ordained; I havebecome a priest through my ministry with you, and I cannot imagine who I might have been without all that we have shared-- the challenges and frustrations as well as the joy and affirmation. I know we agree that your future holds great promise, and I want each of us to treasure what we have gained and learned during these years. I continue to thank God every day that you called me to serve with you in towns I had never heard of, and that are now part of the landscape of my heart.
In Christ,
September 1, 2015
Dear Friends,
With both sadness and excitement I am writing to say that I have been called to serve as Interim Rector at Calvary Episcopal Church in Williamsville. My last Sunday at St. John’s and St. Andrew’s will be October 25th; my first Sunday at Calvary will be November 1st. Deacon Rocky will continue his ministry at St. Andrew’s and St. John’s.
We have been taking steps during the past couple of years to plan for this transition, even though we did not expect it to come so soon. Both Vestries are already scheduled for a joint meeting with the Covenant Team on Monday September 28th. At that meeting, in addition to approving a Covenant Agreement for 2016 and arranging for collaboration on your separate Disaster Preparedness plans, we will discuss the logistical details for this transition, including plans for farewell parties and the Farewell Liturgies on October 25th. Lynn Schauer-Bewley, Doug Wintersteen, and Jim Alessi will communicate with you about these details after that meeting.
The Diocesan Transition Office is making plans for Interim ministry at St. Andrew’s and St. John’s beginning in November. We will know more about those plans by the end of September. After your Interim has begun, your Wardens and Vestry will work with a Diocesan Transition Consultant to take steps in preparing to call your next priest: This transition may be 9-18 months.
Let us turn our attention now to our time together in the next two months. Now is the time to be sure we have in place plans for our Confirmation class in preparation for the Bishop’s visitations in April; now is the time to plan for home visits and pastoral support for both congregations; now is the time to plan the year’s adult education program for both congregations; now is the time to strengthen your covenant and ensure that your shared ministry continues; now is the time for each person to offer your experience, your hope, and your time to the new life that will be coming forth. And now is the time to take time – to visit, to remember and to tell stories, to sing and to pray, and to plan celebrations in thanksgiving for all that God has made possible for us, separately and together.
This will be a new experience for all of us. Even though many of you have greeted and said farewell to priests over the years, our communities are different than they were 10 years ago. Each congregation is stronger financially and spiritually, more clear about your mission and purpose, and more ready to explore what God may be calling you to become. When I came here 10 years ago, I was newly ordained; I havebecome a priest through my ministry with you, and I cannot imagine who I might have been without all that we have shared-- the challenges and frustrations as well as the joy and affirmation. I know we agree that your future holds great promise, and I want each of us to treasure what we have gained and learned during these years. I continue to thank God every day that you called me to serve with you in towns I had never heard of, and that are now part of the landscape of my heart.
In Christ,
