Sad to say goodbye, ready to say hello

Today marked my last Sunday at All Souls Parish in Berkeley where I have served for the past year as Interim Rector. We  tried new things, started new programs (like Stephen Ministry) and had a few flops liking moving the 8am service to a new location. Remarkably, everyone rolled along as we explored together new ways to be Church. We laughed and we cried, especially at the deaths of Sandy Graber and Dave Roberts, two remarkable parish leaders who died much too suddenly and much too young.

Many tears were shed last night at the farewell dinner for Lori and myself, and a few more tears hit the floor this morning in our services. I am so in debt to the people of All Souls, and I am finding it much harder to leave than I ever imagined. Truthfully, I am very tired of having to say goodbye -- again -- to another parish and to wonderful and dear friends.

And that makes me all the more determined to say this: I am looking forward to saying hello to new friends -- and being settled for awhile. Blessings to all...

-- Jim