‘Hello Goodbye’
Dear People of Grace,
I have a real soft spot for the music of the Beatles, you know… John, Paul, George and Ringo. As we are turning the last few corners toward our summertime and entering into the season after Pentecost, one particular song comes to mind: ‘Hello Goodbye’.
In particular I am reminded of a verse right in the middle of the song that sings:
‘ I don’t know why you say goodbye, I say hello’
There is something appropriate about this verse as we enter this time of transitions. Like the very beaches that many of us will be haunting, we will be ebbing and flowing from Grace Church, and our time together will become somewhat ‘tidal’. I will be saying hello to you as you’re saying good bye to go out-of-town for a vacation or a Sunday in the city and vice-versa. All of us will be going our various places. But in this season of goings and comings, know that Grace will still be here; praying our prayers, reading Holy Scripture and celebrating our Lord’s Supper.
I will be saying hello and goodbye in a number of ways. On Saturday, June 5, I will be saying goodbye to my old title of ‘rector-elect’ and will say hello to you in my new official capacity as RECTOR of Grace Episcopal Church. No longer rector in title only, I will be saying hello to a whole new reality of the permanence of our life together—truly celebrating a new-shared ministry of faith and mutuality. I will even be given an engraved document saying so, literally signed, sealed and delivered by Bishop Provenzano.
Likewise we will be saying goodbye to other members of our faith community—the ones who are here Monday-Friday—where I will officially bid Godspeed and offer God’s blessing on our Eighth Grade Graduates.
I will also be taking some much cherished time away with my family for recreation and relaxation. I am already beginning to see just how true it is that Long Island becomes a giant summer playground with wonderful weather, beaches galore, and innumerable parks and sightseeing adventures. I hope to use this time to truly say hello to my new state and community.
The number of people to thank is too many to count; but before our program year draws to a close, I wish to thank you for a wonderful 2009-10 program years. You’re doing wonderful work and continually amaze me at your willingness to truly strive for the Kingdom of God. Well done thou good and
faithful servants! Bravo.
And if along our summer paths, we run into each other, I’ll be certain to say hello to you…before I say goodbye.
Faithfully yours,
Joshua D. Walters+
Your new Rector