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A few last thoughts
Dearest Friends,
Peace, joy, and love in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ! I thought it might be helpful if I offered a few final thoughts on both endings and beginnings. I honestly hope that you find them helpful and take them to heart.
First of all, please know that being your priest through our time of transition at Episcopal Church of the Resurrection has been my absolute pleasure and my joy. It has been almost a year to the day that we have enjoyed this special relationship. AND, I have absolutely loved being your priest. I have always striven to be a window for you toward the holy. I hope you have felt that. We’ve seen ourselves through all the seasons of the Church Year, through some needed home and hospital visits, a time of praying for those in special need, said a wonderful hello to some, and said a sorrowful goodbye to others. All in all, it’s been a time of holy blessing. It’s been a time of knowing, tasting, touching, and feeling God’s ever-present and unconditional love in each of our lives.
As we celebrate all of that, and please do celebrate it, it is now time to look toward the future. Beginning September 17, ECOR will move into a new era. The era of our life which is now to be led and inspired by Fr. Jonathan Galles. When he arrives, we want him to feel as though he and his family have come home. As he begins his life among us, please make yourself known to him, share with him the various roles you have and continue to play in our life of faith. And please, don’t be offended if he asks your name and involvements more than once. Becoming acquainted with a new congregation is really hard work (I speak from considerable experience here). So, make it easier for him and wear your name tag.
If you’ve been absent for awhile, know that we have missed you. But please, please, please return now. Remember and think of this place as your spiritual home. Get to know Fr. Jonathan and what he adds to and brings to our life of faith.
Be patient with Fr. Jonathan. Be patient as he gets to know you. Be patient as he learns about our history and traditions. Be patient as he becomes a part of our diocese where he virtually will know almost no one. Be patient when inevitably he may seek to place his own stamp upon us and make some changes. Be open to him in both action and word. Be patient and then be patient again.
Remember that this is not just another job for Fr. Jonathan, but it is a call from God. We, too, believe that God led us directly to him. It’s sort of like a marriage made in heaven.
Again, be patient with him.
Most of all, remember to pray for him and know that when he succeeds, we will all succeed.
Welcome Fr. Jonathan! We feel blessed that you are coming among us.
My love to all,
Fr Doug+
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