This is my prayer for you: that your love will grow more and more; that you will have knowledge and understanding with your love… – Philippians 1:9

Having said “goodbye” to the congregation in worship this past weekend (“Last Sunday in the pulpit“), Rebekah spent the past few days wrapping things up in the office. That’s why, inspired by some of our friends who post annual, “Last Day of 12th Grade” or “First day of Kindergarten” photos, I made a sign for Rebekah to hold up on her way out the door to work.

After lunch we cleared out her office and then completed what I hope and pray is the last major influx of boxes into our new home.

Before leaving, we made our way into the empty sanctuary for a few quiet moments. Howard Memorial is a phenomenally beautiful church. But it is the presence of faithful and beautiful people in the pews that is the real work of art here.

The timing is right. Rebekah has helped to guide this church for 18-months, including the entire 150th year anniversary celebration (2024), and interim ministry is not supposed to feel the same as the settled, long-term visionary approach of the next permanent pastor.

The best analogy I can think of is the house Rebekah and I occupied for 16-months on East Saint James. We loved the house. It was in many ways more house than we needed (fact is, a nice studio apartment would have been adequate for the purpose). But there we were and it was a great fit. But it would not have made sense, or been right, to have painted walls, remodeled, put in landscaping or made architectural plans for a porch or a new roof.

And at Howard Memorial Presbyterian Church, when the right pastor is called and installed (in God’s time), that’s going to be like the home we have purchased and are now pouring everything into here on Patrick Street. Rebekah is not called into that kind of long term role any more; such a ministry is the opportunity, the privilege, the responsibility – the purview – of the new pastor.

The day finished off beautifully when we enjoyed dinner with the church staff from HMPC, just a short walk up Saint James Street at “On the Square.” What a great bunch of folk, good people with open-hearts and generous spirits, full with affirmation and grace.

Finally, I will admit I have this personal feeling of loss and uncertainty. I will still be an active member of this church, and I will do everything I can to affirm and support the new pastor when he or she arrives (as will Rebekah). But I have so very much enjoyed the role of “pastor’s spouse;” it has been one of the great blessings of my life and I know I am going to miss that sense of identity.

My deeper sense of identity, however, remains and is perfectly expressed in the great hymn by George Wade Robinson that just came to mind:

Loved with everlasting love,
Led by grace that love to know;
Spirit, breathing from above,
Thou hast taught me it is so.
Oh, this full and perfect peace!
Oh, this transport all divine!
In a love which cannot cease,
I am His, and He is mine.

“I am His, and He is mine.” – Absolutely… eternally! – DEREK