Today was Stephanie's last day (see this post), and it was a very sad day. But ironically, a day also full of joy. I saw it as the farewell to our beloved rector, leader, and friend, but also a day to begin looking to the future and the possibilities that are in store for both the church and Stephanie.When Stephanie announced that she was leaving I was doing okay with it. Maybe I was in a state of shock/denial. I was doing fine until the next day when I was at the diocesan offices and saw Mark in the parking lot. He came over and asked me how things were going (just conversationally) and I told him "Okay. No, not really. Stephanie told us she's leaving." As I said that the tears started. Mark put his hand on my shoulder to comfort me while we talked and noted that my reaction was a great testament to Stephanie's ministry.
I was doing okay today until during her sermon she said, "My ministry here is complete." Then the tears started welling up again. And again during the peace, and again at communion. It wasn't an easy day for anyone.
Pentecost seemed to be the perfect time for this, though. The day when Jesus sent the disciples out into the world without him, knowing that they were equipped to complete their ministry. We will be moving on without our spiritual leader, equipped to complete the next phase of our ministry.
It was a really nice service. The last part of the gospel was done in a number of different languages simultaneously - including Mom using American Sign Language. All the hymns and songs were ones that had been played at Stephanie's ordination. The service concluded with the Liturgy for Ending a Pastoral Relationship. Stephanie returned the Bible, Prayer Book, and sacraments that had been given to her when she began her ministry here. After the service was over, she was presented with a number of gifts from the congregation- including chocolate and prayers! And this was all followed with a luncheon in her honor, where a DVD was playing that showed pictures from the whole time she had been at the church set to music. It was really nice.
The parish looked fabulous today with balloons everywhere, packed with people, and that real connectedness between parishioners. It was nice. I wish every day was like this (except without the rector leaving part!)
Even though I will still maintain contact with Stephanie (we were friends before she was my pastor), it will still be a challenge to finish working through some of the issues we were working on alone. I will miss being able to talk with her about anything, controversial or not, and not necessarily agreeing, but having a lively (even heated) discussion and walking out of the room not only still friends, but closer together for our differences. I will miss the genuine love she shows for all of us at the parish, for my kids, for my family. I trust we will all be just fine in the long run.
Be good, my friend.
