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Musings
(April - May)
One of the many blessings of this
community is the children. During almost fourteen years with you, I have
baptized two hundred babies. Each one of them has been pure joy to me. So have
the adults, yet the children are less complicated, more primal. They cry when
uncomfortable, hungry, overtired or sick. They are happy with gentle attention,
warmth, a clean diaper and warm milk. Adults are more complicated and in their
complexity a colorful panoply of ideas and creativity, needs and feelings.
Thank you for letting me be a part of your lives and the lives of your
children.
I'd like to remember that the little
children can teach us about our relationship with God: The little ones playing
in the Baptismal waters, Gillian and others wandering up the steps into the
apse of the church awed by the beauty, the light and color. I love their
creativity and how they see thins. The Eucharistic bread can be a Jesus cookie,
and a child the height of Ashlynn ascends the pulpit steps and practices giving
a sermon. It has been a revelation to me how the children calm down when they
are given attention and a calming warm body and some movement and how much more
they focus when they are near the action of the liturgy and participate with me
in the consecration of the bread and wine.
I wish I could have done more. I wish
we could have done more. We did much though. Between Dottie and Marilyn, Sunday
School and Confirmation, Youth trips and activities, we did much. We had help
along the way from parents and Al Varvella, Meredith Kay, Brian Sheftic, Kathy
Williams and John Penvose, and now Emily Phillips. Thank you. I have been
blessed by you and this parish.
Some are saying that it will be
difficult to replace me. You can't, You and I are one of a kind and so will
your new interim and next rector. As you welcomed and received me fourteen
years ago, extend as hearty and warm welcome to your next priest.
Believe me, be confident that your
search committee and vestry will have good candidates to meet and bring on board.
You are a great parish. Sure we can do more and will. And for now it is good
and it is enough.
Christ's love and peace.
Bob
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