“Parting is such sweet sorrow…” wrote Shakespeare in Romeo & Juliet, but Pastoral Partings are peculiar and disconcerting: after years of walking hand in hand, pastor and people–sharing life’s highs and lows; praying, working, praising together–the time comes to part ways. This causes us all mixed emotions and thoughts, and can give confusions and bewilderment’s. As I prepare to take leave of you and full-time ministry, above all I am grateful to God for our journey together! Hopefully you anticipate your next chapter with as much excitement as I do my retirement and marriage next April.

Though I will continue to pray about you and this church, it is important for us all to be clear that effective on Nov. 23, I will no longer be your pastor. As much as I have cared for and with you, I will not be available for any pastoral duties and connections (including counseling, preaching, teaching, consulting, or conducting services, funerals, and weddings – even if they are off site). The ordained minister’s code, which I have had to affirm and reaffirm throughout my years of ministry, is quite clear: “I will not, upon my termination and departure from a ministry position, interfere with nor intrude upon the ministry of my successor.”

Of course I will bump into you around town, as I will continue to live at Littlefield, and I will be delighted to hear the latest from your life and activities. But I will have no pastoral role in your life. Be assured, I will miss the close connections we have shared and work we have done, yet they will remain past, remain a memory. For me, that memory will be filled with the manifold blessings and grace of God.

Wishing you all the best, always,
Jim