Letter from Lindy Aug 16

Pilgrims,
 
As we move toward the third Sunday in August, I invite you to share in worship via YouTube this Sunday as we have prerecorded the service to gift our tech and worship team a weekend break. We will have fellowship and communion via zoom at the conclusion of worship. The YouTube link will be dropped into our channel Sunday morning for your viewing, listening, praying, singing pleasure. I hope you enjoy :)
 
With so much of our world is seemingly shut or slowed down, we can be caught by surprise at life's transitions, especially as sacred rituals such as graduations, wedding, family reunions, and the like, have had to be delayed, reduced in size, or postponed until the positive test and infection rate of the virus come under greater control. But transitions still happen amidst, as they should, because God calls us to live, truly live, in our very own diaspora. 
 
It feels bittersweet to share with you that Marty has decided, after 13 years of faithful service, to retire. Since I arrived three years ago, he has been warning me this day would come, he just did not know when. As our world shifted, and the landscape of being church changed so, something clicked within and Marty realized the time had come. I completely appreciate that interior knowing and we are endeavoring to honor his desired timeline, all the while getting pieces in place for administrative transition.
 
We are looking at a 6-8 week window of leave-taking and hiring someone to follow in Marty's footsteps, hoping there will be overlap and a passing of the baton. With pandemic, where everything seems to take longer, please pray systems align for us to meet and honor this transition. Over the coming weeks, we will also have creative ways to say good-bye.
 
As you know better than I, Marty is loathe to be the spotlight of our fussing, but we have convinced him that it is good and right for everyone to celebrate his years of service. With the health and safety protocols in place, we are taking a two-pronged approach. First, any and all who would like to "shower" Marty with cards of gratitude and blessing, please, please do so. When we have a firmer grasp on Marty's last day, we will organize a car parade drive-by celebration where you can personally thank Marty for his faithful service from a physically safe distance.
 
So  Pilgrims, join with me in holding Marty in our grateful embrace as we move into this milestone with him.
 
Grace and peace,
Pastor Lindy