Many Tears
That day did come after all... my last services. Roxanne and David's wedding was a delight and meant so very much to Sherry and I as friends have been made for life along with many friends we took for granted. We received a Chalice from Brador which was blessed by Archdeacon Clark and then used in my final celebration of the Eucharist in the parish. A wonderful gift from a great congregation.
Only three hours later I had my final service in St. Paul's where over 60 came out to celebrate my (our... the family has been a big part) ministry. Old Fort and St. Paul's was well represented. Sherry balled through the service and I did only slightly better.
It really hit at the exchange of the "Peace." For myself it is one of the most intimate moments of the service where we don't say "hi," but "I love you" and "I forgive you." Ultimately we say, "God's Peace;" we are able to be reconciled because he loves us and died for us... as the Gospel reading for the feast day of John XXIII stated, we are sanctified through Christ's sanctification of himself (John 17). Well I just started to cry out loud as greeted each parishioner in the name of Christ. The Eucharist was no better as half way through I couldn't hold it in anymore.
The dinner was lovely and all seemed to have a good time. The camera was left behind for the wedding and then it seemed to die (yes, I know, I know, yet another broken electronic piece). Before it did we took this picture:
We received lovely cards with some help for the trip; a wonderfully large basket of fruit and cookies and whatall; two amazing quilts that speak not only of the talent & time but of the coast itself; and many handmade "vamps" (ie: socks and slippers) among other personal gifts.
It was an eveing of love; a day of love. No it was four years of love and commitment. I bless them for blessing my wife, family and myself.
We love you St. Clement's East, we're not too far :-)
Only three hours later I had my final service in St. Paul's where over 60 came out to celebrate my (our... the family has been a big part) ministry. Old Fort and St. Paul's was well represented. Sherry balled through the service and I did only slightly better.
It really hit at the exchange of the "Peace." For myself it is one of the most intimate moments of the service where we don't say "hi," but "I love you" and "I forgive you." Ultimately we say, "God's Peace;" we are able to be reconciled because he loves us and died for us... as the Gospel reading for the feast day of John XXIII stated, we are sanctified through Christ's sanctification of himself (John 17). Well I just started to cry out loud as greeted each parishioner in the name of Christ. The Eucharist was no better as half way through I couldn't hold it in anymore.
The dinner was lovely and all seemed to have a good time. The camera was left behind for the wedding and then it seemed to die (yes, I know, I know, yet another broken electronic piece). Before it did we took this picture:
We received lovely cards with some help for the trip; a wonderfully large basket of fruit and cookies and whatall; two amazing quilts that speak not only of the talent & time but of the coast itself; and many handmade "vamps" (ie: socks and slippers) among other personal gifts.
It was an eveing of love; a day of love. No it was four years of love and commitment. I bless them for blessing my wife, family and myself.
We love you St. Clement's East, we're not too far :-)
1 Comments:
Awww, too bad I couldn't see you off! Hopefully will be able to stay in contact on here.
You were a great minister. I enjoyed that summer we spent together creating those windows. It was the best student job I've had so far. Too bad you couldn't stay around, hopefully someday I'd be lucky enough to get married, and hoped to have you do the ceremony. (I'm a girl, ok? I CAN DREAM! :-P) Maybe you'll just have to come back for a visit, hmm?
Have a great time there, and if you have MSN or yahoo messenger let me know ok? So I can add you and we can chat more often! My MSN nick is squeeker_182@hotmail.com, and yahoo is the same nick.
Ciao for now! *hugs*
Lori
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