Dear Friends:
With the celebration of Elsa Peters’ ministry still fresh in our thoughts, we’re all asking what comes next. As our Council and congregation consider leadership for the future, now is the time for me to share my plan to retire as Senior Minister in June, 2013. With deep gratitude and rich memories I will then have reached my 42nd anniversary of ordination – well over half of this with you as the second-longest serving minister in our congregation’s 280-year history.
Why then? Because I can. Andrea will also retire from her nineteen years at the University of Southern Maine as Director of Community Service and Interfaith Chaplain. We’ll remain in our home here in South Portland and turn our attention to more time together sitting still, traveling, volunteering, and to other dreams we’ve deferred because of our commitment to our work.
By the grace of God, you and I have engaged in deep, challenging ministry since you called me in 1989. We’ve also remembered to dance. I pray future generations will see that we’ve been faithful.
I certainly haven’t lost my love of ministry or my affection and concern for you. While worship leadership and the pastoral roles of weddings, baptisms and funerals have been my greatest privileges, they’ve also been my employment, my work. And I’ve worked long enough… enough evening meetings, sitting in church chairs, and being on call.
In the year ahead I’ll work closely with our Council and other leaders to best assure a healthy transition and bright future. I invite you to share your stories, memories, anxieties and hopes as we mark this time together.
Faithfully, Gratefully,
John