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September 2006 |
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St. Philip the Apostle |
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Beloved in the Lord,
It has been a great joy to be your Acting Pastor this past six months. You are good people to work with. You have been generous with encouragement and positive comments. You have also been easy on my time and energy. I have received very few telephone calls at home. There were a few I wish I had received because there were times I did not learn of a pastoral need until the following Sunday. There were times when I felt the strength of your prayers. Supporting priests in prayer is important. You have been very kind and considerate to me in many ways, and I appreciate it.
I trust you will be as kind and generous with Pastor Mary. I believe she brings gifts that will be good for St. Philip’s and I believe you have gifts that will help her grow as a priest and pastor. As she encourages you and you encourage her I expect wonderful things to happen at St. Philip’s. Pray for St. Philip’s and Pastor Mary. Janet and I have prayed for St. Philip’s each day, and since learning that Pastor Mary had been called as Vicar we have been praying for her as well. Join us in these prayers. They have a power this world does not know.
In my Agreement with the Bishop’s Committee and Bishop to be your Acting Pastor there is a provision for me to take a leave of absence following the arrival of the new Vicar. The first thing Janet and I will do is take a trip to Scotland for the annual meeting of the Clan Donnachaidh. When we return I will seriously explore my future ministry in retirement. Serving with you has reminded me of many things I really enjoy about parish ministry. I will look at opportunities and training possibilities. Who knows where this may lead?
An important theme in my preaching while I have been with you is that we are not of this world and we don’t have to accept this world’s values. We look at what we have and not at what we think we want. When we recognize our gifts and use them Christ can make wonderful things happen. As I prepare to leave you in the hands of Pastor Mary I want to remind you of this theme. We are different from those around us. We are loved children of God. We have gifts that make a difference in this world. Remember to use them.
May our gracious Lord bless you and the ministry of the Rev. Mary Blessing.
In Christ's love, |
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Issue 198 |
