Dear Christ Church Family,

 

This May I will celebrate 30 years since my ordination as a Deacon. Since that time, I have had the privilege of seeing God on the move in the lives of the people and communities I have served, most recently among you at Christ Church these nearly 19 years.

 

I have served four parishes in three dioceses. I have been on Diocesan and Area Councils and served as Regional Dean. I have sat on numerous diocesan committees and on various volunteer boards of directorship for local community agencies including a local hospital. I was on the radio in one parish and in the local newspaper in another. I have presided over countless baptisms, marriages and funerals and taught many a Lenten study, confirmation class, bible study, baptism and marriage preparation seminar and other such events.

 

I have supported the dying, offered God's hope to the bereaved, taken my share of late-night phone calls, counselled the fractured and administered God’s absolution to penitent sinners. I have stuffed envelopes, fixed toilets, stacked chairs and mopped floors. I have done my best to preach the Word in season and out, in church buildings, care institutions, parks, jails and even in churches of other denominations. I have team-led capital campaigns, building projects, regional rationalisation studies, parish merger discussions and significant changes in worship and administration. I have overseen theological students, assistant curates, associate clergy, honorary assistants and various lay ministry and administrative staff. 

 

I have attempted to do these things to the best of my ability while trusting in God’s grace to make up for my short-comings. I have not won every contest nor achieved every goal, but through it all God has been abundantly faithful, and in many instances expanded my vision and surprised me with results I had not anticipated. In smaller parishes I worked largely by myself along with Kim - the secret to my success. In larger parishes, I have worked with capable staff and volunteers. At Christ Church I have been blessed by so many ready, willing and able people - no wonder I have been so happy among you!

 

In it all and through it all, I have found my deepest joy in the simple everyday things of my vocation as a husband and father, priest and pastor ~ living, working, playing and sleeping in the communities I have served. 

 

Those of you who are discerning a call to ordained ministry - know this - It's a wonderful life; it's not always easy, but it's wonderful and I can honestly say “I’m so glad I didn't miss it”.

 

We have come to a time of parting, not out of anger, discouragement or breakdown - far from it! Our parting has come, not because of death, but because of life!  I'm retiring and God has new things for you and for me to do now and on into the future. 

 

God will send you another Priest to be a faithful labourer among you. And so we can part thankful for the time we have had together and with joyful confidence in God’s future.

 

Please know that I will always hold you dear in my heart and I will continue to pray for you. I am so grateful for what God has done in your life and in mine - most especially together.

 

We can face the future because Jesus lives and calls us into the future of his glorious life. We can follow with confidence knowing that “we have seen the Lord” and that he is interested in and present to his Church.  

 

Alleluia! Christ is risen. The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia! 

 

May his grace and peace be with you.  May he fill our hearts with joy.