Dear First Church community,
This is my final pastoral letter to you as your pastor. There are too many memories, celebrations, heartaches, losses, little wins, major transformations, and soul-filling moments to list during our time together.
A colleague pointed me to a benediction that I’ll include below, titled “Blessing for Moving On from a Good Thing.” Gosh, that’s a perfect description: mourning leaving our amazing community while celebrating I had the honor to be amongst a Good Thing for seven years. You! You are the Good Thing!
Do you know the secret to how United Methodists keep a Good Thing a Good Thing? It is to transition well between pastors.
I’ve been so impressed with the SPRC and Admin Board for their shepherding this transition, as well as you in the congregation who have lifted up the process in prayer and participation these past few months. It has been noticed and I know our Good Thing will keep going.
There have been many questions about the coming months. Here’s the best I can offer:
- Q: When is your last Sunday?
- A: This Sunday, June 9th, is my last Sunday. We will have a Liturgy of Leavetaking of the Pastor in the 10:30am worship service, and there is a lunch and program at noon in the fellowship hall.
- A: This Sunday, June 9th, is my last Sunday. We will have a Liturgy of Leavetaking of the Pastor in the 10:30am worship service, and there is a lunch and program at noon in the fellowship hall.
- Q: Why is there a gap between your last Sunday on June 9th and Pastor Wongee Joh’s first day on July 15?
- A: Since 2023, First Church has been preparing for me to take a three-month sabbatical this Summer to recharge for another season at First Church. Little did we know we were preparing for a more permanent time away! So my leave got reduced to 4 weeks instead of 12, and First Church and Edmonds gracefully each gave two of those weeks to my transition. Rest assured each Sunday will have a great guest preacher, a presider, and plenty of lay leadership!
- A: Since 2023, First Church has been preparing for me to take a three-month sabbatical this Summer to recharge for another season at First Church. Little did we know we were preparing for a more permanent time away! So my leave got reduced to 4 weeks instead of 12, and First Church and Edmonds gracefully each gave two of those weeks to my transition. Rest assured each Sunday will have a great guest preacher, a presider, and plenty of lay leadership!
- Q: What about Pride Sunday on June 30th? That’s a big day! Who will be leading it?
- A: Yes! It’s the biggest day in the life of the church! Our amazing team of laity are leading as effectively as they always have. Everything is just as amazing as last year. You can sign up to volunteer here
- A: Yes! It’s the biggest day in the life of the church! Our amazing team of laity are leading as effectively as they always have. Everything is just as amazing as last year. You can sign up to volunteer here
- Q: Is this really goodbye or can we continue to contact you, especially on social media?
- A: Real talk. Clergy and Church sign a covenant that my role as your pastor truly ceases after June 9th, and I agree with and will uphold that covenant. It basically says it’s best for everyone that I step back from your streams and conversations for at least a year to reset our relationship. Of course, we are a connectional church and First Church members come from all over. I won’t be a jerk and not say hello to you at any Star Wars movie screenings–but our relationship won’t be the same as now. Any ways you would turn to me as your pastor, you are encouraged to turn to Pastor Wongee Joh, Deacon Jackie Celin, and the church lay leadership.
- A: Real talk. Clergy and Church sign a covenant that my role as your pastor truly ceases after June 9th, and I agree with and will uphold that covenant. It basically says it’s best for everyone that I step back from your streams and conversations for at least a year to reset our relationship. Of course, we are a connectional church and First Church members come from all over. I won’t be a jerk and not say hello to you at any Star Wars movie screenings–but our relationship won’t be the same as now. Any ways you would turn to me as your pastor, you are encouraged to turn to Pastor Wongee Joh, Deacon Jackie Celin, and the church lay leadership.
Thank you. You have provided a spiritual home for our three daughters (Nora was born our first year at First Church) and a creative outlet for worship and justice-seeking that nourished my soul, as I hope it has yours. I’m overwhelmed with the joy and sadness that comes from change.
Now, to the benediction. I have found comfort and deep peace from this prayer a clergy colleague found on enfleshed (the LGBTQ+ and BIPOC liturgy community that we support). I hope you feel it too.
Blessings, and…one more time…see you Sunday.
~Pastor Jeremy
Blessing for Moving On from a Good Thing
by Rev. Rebecca Ajer Frantz
When you came to this place or this season of your life, it was a Good Thing.
You came with purpose and joy and energy to dive deep and fully immerse yourself.
Over days and weeks, months and years, you gave of yourself and received just as much back.
It is time for a new chapter to begin.
For the tether that keeps you here to be undone and connected to a new anchor.
But it is hard to say goodbye to a Good Thing.
May your feelings of guilt for the anxieties of transition be replaced by eagerness and excitement for what tomorrow’s horizon will bring.
May your fear about if the next Thing will be just as Good be abated and calmed.
May you be given clarity to see each new experience for what it is, not clouded by what has been.
You are held and loved by so many, cheered on as you depart.
A piece of you will always remain.
May that piece remind you, when the memories get fuzzy,
That you were part of a very Good Thing.
(Source: https://enfleshed.com/additional-blessings-for-the-depths/ )