Dear Christ Church,
These days, with every rising and setting of the sun, things feel ephemeral–beginnings and endings, letting go and picking up, the carousel of people, places, things, and time. At the center of it all is a still point, the unchanging and eternal habitation of love, beauty, friendship, glory, the holy of holies. That remains; that holds the center.
This Sunday, my penultimate with you as your Rector, Christine and I will share some pastoral words, marking the moment before our Farewell Weekend. Since I will not be preaching on my final Sunday (April 21), this will be my last time “in the pulpit,” though not a traditional sermon. My four-part preaching series last month was what one friend and parishioner called my “love letter to Christ Church.” I didn’t conceive of it that way, but that sounds about right.
Our hearts are full of gratitude and excitement. Christine and I have had special lingering meals and evenings with our staff, with all the Senior Wardens I’ve partnered with the past 18 years, and with all the Christ Church-ers who were part of Holy Trinity even before I answered the call to serve as their Rector. We are deeply grateful for the stories, and laughter, the tears and the words shared, and we look forward to next weekend with you!
We are also full of joyful anticipation at what the Lord has in store for Christ Church, with Fr. Matt’s loving and skillful pastoral leadership. The future is very bright for this amazing community, with an undershepherd after God’s own heart like Fr. Matt. The operational and leadership transition has been incredibly smooth; Christ Church, you are in excellent hands!
May this prayer describe our posture today and with every rising of the sun. May we remain always open to the love, presence, and action of God in all things.
Welcome, welcome, welcome.
I welcome everything that comes to me today
because I know it’s for my healing.
I welcome all thoughts, feelings, emotions,
persons, situations, and conditions.
I let go of my desire for power and control.
I let go of my desire for affection, esteem,
approval and pleasure.
I let go of my desire for survival and security.
I let go of my desire to change any situation, condition, person, or myself.
I open to the love and presence of God and God’s action within. Amen.
–Thomas Keating
Peace,
Cliff+