On July 27, I delivered my last sermon in the IRSM. You can see that sermon in a previous blog post. Once I was finished, I added on a final farewell to the IRSM. I have thought long and hard about whether or not to share it, but I'm hoping that by doing so, it will help me jump into the work that I need to do here in BC, maybe give me a bit of mental closure as it's been kind of a rough ride since that last Sunday in July. So here you go, my final words of goodbye to the IRSM.
Usually after I finish my sermon, I say, "As we ponder these words..." I have been doing a lot of pondering over these last few months, especially as I wrote this sermon, especially as I prepare to say goodbye to this chapter of my life.
My first call in the Anglican church was only half-time. There was a need to fill the other half in order to support my family. So I prayed on it, and I considered our joint relationship (Lutheran and Anglican), and I went to Bishop Jason and asked if he had anything available. There was only one thing - the IRSM. Could I actually start my ministry with 7 parishes?? I searched my heart and answered the call - the knock at the door of my heart that said I could do this.
In the same way I said the IRSM grew over the last 5 years, I have grown right alongside of you. I have learned leadership, planning, pivoting, pastoral care. From you, I have learned how to be a priest and I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Alongside each other, we have asked, searched, and knocked. And today marks another door that I have knocked upon. Ten years ago, Cass and I visited Chemainus, BC and decided that in 10 years, we wanted to move out there. In 2020, we had adjusted that to be more like 15 years to line up with the kids' education.
And yet here we are, at the 10 year mark anyway. When the post came up last fall, Cass and I talked a lot about it and I prayed a lot about it. Our decision was that if I knocked and the door was answered, then I would know I made the right decision. So almost 10 years to the day, I stand here saying goodbye to a group of wonderful people who made me into the priest I am today, with plans for Cass to follow closer to our 15-year time line.
As the IRSM turns the page to its next chapter, so do I turn the page to my next chapter, knowing that God walks with me every step of the way.
Thank you, for everything.
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