Dear Beloveds,
Times of transition are sacred in the life of a community. We are formed not only by how we welcome newcomers, but by how we say goodbye to those whose journey takes them on new paths. This Sunday, September 29, I will offer my last children’s message and sermon, followed by a special Blessing of Release. I love this ritual and hope you all will join me in this blessing as we collectively cherish, celebrate and release the sacred ministries we have created together. As the seasons change and FCCA enters into a new stewardship season, this moment, while unexpected, feels like a fitting time to bless and release our joint ministries and to see what new thing is unfolding before us.
I am so deeply grateful for the opportunity to have served among such a caring community of faith and for the dedication of the Faith Formation teams and leaders who have shown up with creativity, vision and tenderness. I hope that new leaders will feel called to join them in empowering these growing and vital ministries in this time of transition. As we prepare for my last Sunday, I want to take a moment to acknowledge what this will mean for our relationships going forward and how we can hold this moment together now.
It is a common practice across most denominations for a pastor to remain out of contact with the community for the first year after leaving. This practice helps keep pastors and communities of faith in loving, right relationship with one another when those roles change. It is a practice that I find challenging, as it is painful to say goodbye to dear ones with whom spiritual lives have been shared. It is also a practice I deeply believe in, as it upholds the integrity of the continued journeys of the pastor and the community. What all this means concretely is that for the year following my final Sunday on September 29, I will not be participating in the life of the church through worship, social media, or other FCCA functions. I will also not continue in relationships with FCCA members, with the exception of other ministry colleagues. I recognize that a great deal of “church” happens over social media. To respect those places as part of this community of faith, I will be unfollowing all pages and profiles of congregants and church groups. Thank you in advance for honoring these boundaries with me. After a year, if anyone wishes to get in touch with me, know that it would be a delight to hear from you. You are in my heart and in my prayers, now and always.
In the communion of Christ,
Rev. Lacey Hunter
