Monday, September 26, 2005

Yesterday

Yesterday was the last worship service for my congregation. It was a hard day, but good. It felt to me like a funeral for a beloved relative who had lived a full life and would be greatly missed. The church was packed. The church down the road who volunteered to do the reception for us also cancelled their own worship that day to be with us. Lots of former members and the widow and children of a former pastor were there, as well as some neighborhood folks who haven't worshiped there in the six+ years I've been pastor. I was grateful for the support, but also VERY glad we'd done our grief work on a different Sunday without all the visitors.

I also warned our members: This is not the hard Sunday. The hard Sunday is NEXT Sunday.

14 comments:

Jody Harrington said...

Dear me, what a tough day for you and the congregation. You're right--next Sunday will be the most difficult. Have you decided what you plan to do that day?

Anonymous said...

Blessings.

This must be so hard. :)

Unknown said...

Gosh. Just hugs.

Anonymous said...

(o)

Sue said...

Thinking of you and wishing you and your congregation much peace and many blessings.

LutheranChik said...

I'll be thinking of you and your congregation this week.

What Now? said...

Blessings to you all during this transition.

Jennifer Garrison Brownell said...

Blessings to you and your flock and you'll be in my prayers next Sunday (and the next...)

Jules said...

I'm praying for you and your flock, for all the tough Sundays ahead.

kwpershey said...

praying!!

spookyrach said...

Wishing the best.

Princess of Everything (and then some) said...

Oh sweetie....it just sucks. Holding you and yours up in prayer.

Kathryn said...

Hugs and prayers from here too...plus a hefty dose of admiration for the way you are handling this. You are doing so so well.
Blessings x

Anonymous said...

May you feel God's blessings upon you as you continue in ministry, wherever you may be sent to do God's work.

May the hidden blessings of change and struggle bring you to greater understanding and hope.

May your hard-won perspective on this loss be a tool of wisdom with which you can now bless others.