I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. – Philippians 1:3-6
It is that time of year when we, churches and colleagues, bid farewell to those moving to other districts or to new communities of faith within Fairway.
What an astounding adventurous gift it has been to journey together for this season!
God has guided, storms have been weathered, lessons have been learned.
We have grown together and grown the kingdom together as we faced unexpected change, crises, and blessings. New ministries and new ways of doing ministry have been born. We have been stretched, at times undone and overwhelmed, yet always gifted in the end with the grace needed to continue on.
Thank you for continuing on.
Thank you for your faithfulness.
Thank you for living into your call especially on those days when you were tempted to shake the dust off of your already calloused feet and chuck it all.
Thank you. God bless you AND your families.
They were right there with you seeing and feeling the effects of the onslaught of new demands requiring so much more, when so much was already being given.
I thank God for their partnership, their support, and their faithfulness.
God bless, strengthen, and hold close your amazing families.
It has been an honor and a blessing to serve with you, to learn with you, and to learn from you.
Thank you for your gracious patience with me as I have learned a new way of being in ministry.
My prayers continue with you and for you, as well as for your families, the churches you are leaving, and those who will receive the gift of you and God’s ministry through you.
Joyce Rupp wrote a beautiful prayer in Praying Our Goodbyes which I share with gratitude.
Prayer of One Who Is Moving On
Guardian, Guide, no pillar of cloud by day nor fire by night,
Yet I sense Your presence with me, God of the journey.
You are guarding me in my vulnerable moment.
You are dwelling within me as I depart from here.
You are promising to be my peace as I face the struggles of distance from friends and security, the planting of feet and heart in a strange place.
Renew in me a deep trust in You. Calm my anxiousness.
As I reflect on my life I can clearly see how You have been there in all of my leavings,
You have been there in all of my comings.
You will always be with me in everything.
I do not know how I am being resettled, but I place my life into the welcoming arms of Your love.
Encircle my heart with Your peace.
May Your powerful presence run like a strong thread through the fibers of my being.
Amen.
Those clergy, families, and churches experiencing a change of appointment:
Within Fairway:
Sam Grist – Asbury (Sanford)
David Edington – Bethlehem
Thearon Willis – Center
Scott Finicum – Lemon Springs
William Cashion – Carbonton
Donald Burns – Doub’s Chapel
Vanessa McIntyre – Ellerbe/Mt. Pleasant
Jarrod Davis – Goldston
David Edington – Moncure/Jones Chapel
Eric Joyce – Page Memorial
Lucas Nelson – Pittsboro
Mamie Alley – Pittsboro Circuit
Vic Hill – Robbins Charge
Randy Chappell – Sandhills Circuit
Leaving Fairway:
Trevor Blair – Sharon/Grifton. Sound
Emily Blair – Calvary Memorial, Sound
Jim Littleton – Wake Forest, Heritage
James Henderson – John Wesley, Gateway
Jim Jones – First Elizabeth City
New to Fairway:
Anita Taylor – Holly Springs
Heidi Reddy – Mt. Pleasant, Pittsboro
Michael Safley – Macedonia/Ophir
Katie Tomlin – Pinehurst, Associate
Kennedy Gray – Sanford Circuit
Elias Ballew – Southern Pines, Associate
Charlotte Brendel – St. Luke, Deacon
Hee Jun Yang – Star
Pete Mace – Roseland
Catherine Neal – UNC Rex, The Local Church