LOOKING UP, June 23, 2010

A friend from a previous parish asked me at the reception last Sunday, "So what are your retirement plans?" I laughed and responded, "For the foreseeable future, writing thank you notes and letters!"

This is the first of dozens to come, and is simply a "blanket" thanks for all the wonderful ways you have honored Jane and me as we conclude this decade of ministry with you at First Church.

Sunday, June 13 was a day to be forever remembered and cherished. As someone remarked, "It felt like Easter, and maybe Christmas combined!" The balcony was mostly full, and it was a special delight to welcome and recognize friends from former parishes in Stockbridge, Birmingham, Detroit and Northville. It was also very special to have so many of our family members and clergy colleagues present.

My staff colleagues planned such a wonderful worship service, full of joy and celebration. First Puppets made us laugh, and the music brought tears to our eyes. From the handbells to the organ selections to the choir anthem, it was all spectacular, and so deeply appreciated.

Our guest was supposed to be a surprise, but I confess I got my hands on a worship bulletin Thursday afternoon and discovered "who" it was. I couldn’t have been more honored or delighted than to have Rev. Gary Keene present and participating in worship that morning, as this is Gary’s home church. As my "first son in ministry," he and I share a very special bond.

If Gary’s presence wasn’t a complete surprise, everything else about the afternoon celebration was. Oh my, what fun! From the sublime to the ridiculous, it was one creative, memorable moment after another. What a roller coaster ride of emotions, from belly laughs to poignant tears. It was "over the top," and beyond anything I could have imagined.

First Church certainly knows how to throw a party! We thought the one arranged for us back in May of 20004 as a "send off" on a Renewal Leave couldn’t be matched. This was all that and more. So please accept our deep gratitude for all the special touches from flowers to food that honored us in ways we’ll never forget.

Your very generous love gift will fund our first retirement trip in a few weeks. We’re off to the West Coast to welcome two new granddaughters to the family, and to enjoy a few days of sightseeing around Mount Rainier and Mount St. Helen. "I will lift up my eyes to the hills," literally. It will be a special time of rest and renewal of the "ties that bind us" to our dear ones, whom we will now begin to see more often.

In addition to the festivities at the church, Jane planned a party the evening before for family and out of town friends. I suggested we invite members of the SPRC and their spouses as a way to express appreciation for their support and good work on personnel matters. Like weddings, such events tend to expand to capacity and the Parkview Hills clubhouse was suddenly full. It was an evening of "roasting and toasting," and such a tribute of love from my dear family, especially Jane.

No one knows unless they have "been there" themselves, how much a pastor’s spouse sacrifices in terms of plans changed and support needed at a moment’s notice. Jane has done that for me, and for the congregations I’ve served, with grace and understanding time and again. We’ve been in this ministry together, and I am eternally grateful.

To the retirement planning committee of Dave Lundquist, Ellen Rowe, Bob Hamet, Derek Wheaton and Paula Willson, to my staff colleagues, other clergy and lay persons who offered stories, tributes and such memorable gifts and keepsakes, "thanks and thanks again!" Jane and I will never forget all the wonderful ways you honored us. We are still opening cards, savoring them a few at a time. Truthfully, the weekend left us limp. We’ve been both emotionally and physically exhausted, but in a good way.

Meanwhile, the work of ministry continues, as pastoral care is offered for those in the hospital, as weddings are celebrated (I’m about to officiate at #760), and yet another funeral is scheduled. Life and death go on; but, as of July 1, Rev. John Boley will be the "go to guy," your new pastor.

I am confident you will grow to love and respect John in years to come every bit as much and more as you have me. I couldn’t be more pleased for him and for First Church. "The icing on the cake" is the return of Rev. Shelly Wisdom-Long. How fortuitous that is. Along with Revs. Sandy Elfring and Julie Kline, you will be well led, and cared for in every way.

Now I’ve got to get the rest of my office cleaned out. Old sermons, old books, old files...after the thank you notes, I’ve got some major sorting ahead of me. So much to get rid of, but sweet memories I’ll ever hold dear.

"How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard." 
A.A. Milne, Winnie-the-Pooh