There it is in stark black and white. The title of my last pastor's posting, an acknowledgement of the reality that these "in between times" are about to end and new times begin for you as UPC and Rev. Nelsen, while another adventure in ministry awaits somewhere else for me.
In these final weeks and days of January, the realization that I've just experienced another "last" will elbow its way to the front of my thoughts. I've moderated the Session for the last time, celebrated the Lord's Supper for the last time, planned and led worship for the last time. Just a few months ago, the process was reversed as I took note of so many "firsts." In a few weeks, you will again be experiencing another set of firsts with the arrival of your new pastor.
As I look back over the months since February 2007, when I led the retreat for UPC at Holy Cross, or even since May, when I arrived to serve as your Interim Pastor, and through all this "in between time" we've had together, a thought which keeps coming to my mind is the song Carol Burnett used at the close of her TV show, "I'm so glad we had this time together." Together we've worshipped, sang, laughed, welcomed new elders and new members, studied, learned, decorated, hosted, planned, met and met, talked, listened, shared breakfasts and lunches and dinners and snacks, played dominoes, prayed for peace, prayed for healing and wholeness and prayed for this congregation, the church, and the world.
I give thanks to God for the marvelous gift of calling me to minister with you, with UPC. I am so glad we've had this time together! You all have been wonderfully supportive, encouraging, receptive, and even reasonably tolerant through all the questions, suggestions, and yes, even the changes that have been part of the interim process.
Many of you have asked what's next for me. I don't know yet. Most likely, I will be looking for another opportunity to serve as an interim pastor. But first, I'm going to be Momma and Grandmomma during a three week visit in Seattle in February with my daughter and her family. The house I'm renting here is leased until the first of May so I have some time before I'll have to know what's next and where. Although my time as your pastor is now coming to an end, I will continue to be your friend.
Good-byes can be painful and difficult if we only think of endings. I prefer to think of Good bye in its original form, as a blessing: God be with you. And so I offer you my gratitude, my blessing, my prayer, that you will indeed know God's constant and loving presence.
Good bye. God be with you. Cathy
