Dear Friends,
One of the parts of small-town life that I love is the way that news gets out. I know that sometimes this can be problematic and hard but, when it goes well, it’s a thing of beauty. The quick dispersal of important news from person to person throughout the community is wonderful.
You may have already heard, in church, or on Facebook, or from word of mouth around the community that I have submitted my resignation to Bishop Sandra from Christ Church, in order to take up a posting at St. Francis by the Lakes, Lower Sackville. I know for many this is unexpected, and sad news. In truth, I, as well as Allie and the kids, are very sad to be going.
Christ Church, as well as the wider community of Amherst, have been really wonderful to us. We have been made to feel deeply at home here, and we have loved it. This is a good community, this is a strong community, and this is a community that has great love. While we will miss the church very much, I also know that God will call a new priest to be your Rector, and they will also find a place of home and love here.
Marg E. Smith and I were doing our favourite activity this week – talking about Christ Church history – and we realized together that it has been 56 years since the last priest left Christ Church on good terms without retiring. The Rev. Sid Davies left in 1969, and he was followed by Father Weston, who did not leave on particularly good terms, and then he was followed by David Myles and Glenn Eason, who both retired. So, in many ways this transition is new to us. That is OK, and it can be important and helpful to acknowledge that. We are just not used, at Christ Church, to clergy leaving very often, let alone leaving to take up a new post.
But a transition like this is valuable for a community. It provides a time to pause and reflect. There will be time over the interim for the community of Christ Church to reflect on who you are, what your priorities are, and what qualities you are looking for in a leader. This is an opportunity that only comes along once in a while, and it’s good to make the most of it.
I’m sure we will be discussing the interim a lot over the next few months, as well as continuing to have a lot of fun and doing good ministry together. I’m looking forward to it!
Have a great week!
Will