August 25, 2014
Dear friends in Christ,
When I came to The Church of the Epiphany in May 2010, I
felt like I had come home. This was a place where our love of Christ could grow
and our desire to serve Him could be uplifted. I fully expected that it was
also the place where I would continue in my ministry for many years.
God, it seems, has other plans. Bishop Shannon Johnston has
asked me to serve as his Director for Transition Ministries at Mayo House,
beginning on October 1st. The Diocese will issue a formal announcement
later today, but I wanted to let you know prior to that announcement.
This call to Mayo House is an honor. To be responsible for
parishes in search throughout this large and vibrant diocese is a big job, but
the Bishop is confident in me, and it is certainly a topic of some passion for
me. It is also a sign of his confidence in this parish that he would invite its
rector to leave this place; he knows this is a healthy and vibrant church that
can weather a transition with grace.
That said, I am leaving feeling like there is so much that I
wish I could have gotten done, so much that we are still dreaming of and
planning for, and I will miss not being a part of that. I know, though, that
you are more than capable of continuing in God’s work in this place, and that
whomever you call to be the fifteenth Rector of the Church of the Epiphany will
find this a wonderful and Spirit-filled faith community. I am but one in a long
line of priests who have loved and served you, and the next one will join the fortunate
community of clergy who have been blessed by this place.
I know this is a bit of a shock – for me, too – and you will
have many questions. I have spoken with the Vestry about all of this, and am
happy to talk to any of you who have concerns. Our diocesan Canon to the
Ordinary, The Rev. Patrick Wingo, will be handling Epiphany’s transition
directly himself, since it would be odd for me to handle the search for my own
successor. The Rev. Deacon Harrison Higgins will remain at Epiphany. Dorothy
White’s placement for her transitional diaconate period is still being planned,
but we will definitely be hosting her ordination with joy and much celebration
on September 13th.
As for me, please keep me in your prayers. The new position
is a daunting one, and I will need God’s grace to fulfill my new
responsibilities well, as I have needed God’s grace to fulfill my
responsibilities here at Epiphany.
I am grateful for all of you, especially my lay and ordained
colleagues in ministry, the three Senior Wardens who have helped me during my
tenure here (Anne H, Gray C, and Herb W), and the
excellent Vestries with which I have been blessed. I want to offer a particular
thank you to the incomparable Lucy W, our Parish Secretary, who is the glue that keeps this
place together, and who has helped me avoid disaster more often than I care to
admit. Doug, too, has felt loved and welcomed here, particularly in the Chancel
Choir and in the Chapter 11 group. We will miss you all.
Please know that you are always in our hearts and prayers. I
know there are great things to come here, and Doug and I will be cheering you
on from the sidelines!
In the coming weeks, let’s share stories, laughter, hopes
and memories, and let’s listen for God’s voice speaking to us in the midst of
change.
Faithfully,
Mary+
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