1

WITH JOY AND SORROW

Laura and I have been blessed to be among you

this past year and a half. I have truly been

honored to serve as your interim vicar and head

of school, and we have made a home, albeit a

temporary one, in and with you in your walk as a

parish through the storms of transition and

change. We now have another change to mark

together:

This past week, I signed a letter of agreement

with Trinity Episcopal Church and Day School in

Solebury, PA to become its new rector. My last

Sunday with you will be on February 27

th

. Aside

from our regular services that morning; we had

scheduled an Evensong and parish supper for

that night. Please join with us on that day as we

conclude our time with you and pray for the swift

completion of this parish’s search for its new

rector.

Many of you have known for months that Laura

and I have been searching for where God will

next call me to exercise my ministry as a priest

of the Church, even as the search committee

here continues to look for your new rector.

Sadly, timing is never perfect in this process

called “deployment.” Both the wardens and

vestry, in consultation with myself and the

search committee chairs, have been realistic

from the start that Laura and I might have to

leave before a new rector could be called. At this

point, we are looking into alternatives for

pastoral leadership…everything from “Sunday

Supply” to a short-term interim placement.

I would love to give you all some deep nugget of

wisdom, or offer up some pithy saying that will

resolve the confusion of emotions we will

experience as we begin to say goodbye to each

other. I can’t. Like so many other moments in

adult life, words and descriptors simply fail. We

mourn loss and change even as new life begins

to unfold. Change is constant…and that is what

we will experience in our waning weeks of being

priest and people together.

Know that I take a larger treasure chest/tool box

from this place than the one I arrived with just

over a year ago, with wife and pets in tow to

take up residence on the campus here at 419

South Street. You have taught me so much

about what it means to be a better priest, leader

and boss in our short tenure. For that, both

Laura and I will be eternally grateful. Even as

the Lenten nights lengthen into Easter mornings,

know that our most sincere prayers for you will

be in your soon-to-be-established relationship

with a new rector. A little while longer, and you

will see new growth in places you can only

imagine now.

Solebury, and Trinity Church, are wonderful

communities. We are anticipating many

changes. From a role as interim to one of settled

rector for me, from “rental” life to home

ownership for Laura and me…change will be

chasing us, too, believe me. God watch over us

all in the coming months, and may the Holy

Spirit continue to guide and govern our paths.

Let me take a few moments to thank all those

who have worked so hard to support us in our

life here: For the office staff…Bridgett, Howard,

Joyce, Diane, Pattie, Donna, and Martha and

Bob Craig; the Altar Guild, Acolytes, Chalice

Bearers and Lay Readers; for the men of the

Brotherhood of St. Andrew; youth of the

Confirmation Class; for the children of the parish

for their joy and life-giving good humor; for the

choir and their offerings of music and friendship;

Continues on the next page

EPIPHANY / LENT NET

2005