When Ellen and I were at
the annual Diocesan Council, we heard that line more than a few times. Of
course, people were referring to this time between my election as Bishop
Coadjutor of the Diocese of Virginia on January 26 and my last day at All
Saints', Sunday,
April 15. I can see what they mean. Realistically,
there's simply no way around a time in
"limbo." We did put a lot of
thought into this timing, so I'd like for you to know what I had in mind,
and what I hope this will mean for us over the next two months.
My consecration as
bishop isn't until May 26 (this is due to the time required by the Church's
process for each diocese to consent—or not—to my election). That meant four
months for us right from the start. With the necessary consents, I begin my
office hours in Richmond on May 21 and, of course, we'll need time to sell
our house here, make the move, and set up my office. OK, now we're thinking
April for my leave-taking. Holy Week and Easter then became the determining
factor. Easter is April 8. There's no way that I would load "last Sunday"
baggage onto Easter, and I can't even imagine starting Holy Week (Palm
Sunday being April I) and not seeing that most important journey through
with you. Since I will be in Tupelo during the Triduum (Maundy Thursday,
Good Friday and Easter Eve), as well as on Easter Day, I feel my place
should be with you for those times. So then, what about leaving sometime in
March, during Lent? That could be an option, but something simply didn't
feel "right" for the parish in that. Besides, that would leave Michael with
a lot more than he signed-on for, and for weeks longer than necessary (not
to mention the few months it will take to get an Interim Rector on board.)
So, I decided on April 15—the Second Sunday of Easter—as the best option
overall.
Given this, what now?
Well, the first thing is that these weeks will not be all about "saying
goodbye." While we must not neglect that (and during these remaining weeks
there will be many bittersweet encounters and conversations to share the
personal times of our lives together over these years) I trust that we will
nonetheless stay focused on our common life in Christ. We will continue to
build the life and witness of this congregation in our greater community and
we will take care of each other as a Christian family. AS1 Saints' has
always been about our life and ministry in Christ and this is no less so—it
is pointedly the more so—now.
We have so much work to
do as you get ever so closer to moving into All Saints' wonderful new
facilities. There is much planning, organization, and implementation to do.
We will also be establishing, in Michael's ministry among us, some of our
small-group initiatives for spirituality development. Worship, mission,
ministry, and devotion prove life in the Gospel. What better way to
celebrate our time of ministry together than to build up the present in
order to realize the promise of All Saints' future in the Gospel of Christ.
Please consider also
how meaningful it can be to undertake our remaining time together in the
context of Lent. This season is all about self-examination (both as
individuals and as a congregation) in order to find cleansing, strengthen
hope, build up community, and realize renewal. As I've said many times
before. Lent is a journey to Easter, a time of discernment that is grounded
in our trust in God's faithfulness to us and confirmed in the resurrection
of Christ. Thanks be to God: we'll spend the rest of our lives saying
"Hello" to that.
In Christ,
Shannon+
