Chardon United Methodist Church

What in Mark takes only two paragraphs (eight scant verses), in John goes on and on for four chapters : Jesus’ “Farewell Address” to His disciples.  Don’t worry ... although this is my farewell article for the Harbinger, it’s not going to take four chapters!

On June 30, our journey together as Pastor and congregation will come to an end, with our one service of celebration in worship on June 14 (the Sunday before Annual Conference convenes) being my last Sunday in Chardon.  In many ways these last eight years have gone by quickly, and for the most part they have been good years.  Darlene and I have been grateful for the love and support offered by so many, and it has been a great privilege for me to walk with many, many of you in the places and times when the journey counts the most : birth - and death, baptisms, weddings, confirmation, graduation, times when life has been whole and filled with joy, and times when life has been broken, longing for healing.  We have laughed with each other and contended with each other, studied together, worshipped and prayed together, sometimes wept together. Now, rather than offering a catalogue of our victories (and defeats), I want to offer some encouragement as you lean into a new future with new pastoral leadership.

• Receive the Drew’s with joy, enthusiasm, and support.  Be open to change, and accepting of their unique personalities and gifts Dan and Debbie will bring to Chardon Church.  Allow them to be themselves, choose their friends, set their boundaries.  Insist that Dan take time away from the parish for rest, renewal, and refreshment.  Be present to warmly welcome them on their first Sunday in worship, July 5.
• Be open, honest, and loving when differences arise.  Manage conflict constructively, in appropriate ways, through the right channels.
• Know and respect that friendships Darlene and I have created with you can continue, but my role as Pastor cannot.  I shall not return to the church for any pastoral functions for at least on year, and then only with permission.  This is the policy of our Annual Conference, and it is a good one : it allows the church to bond rapidly with the new pastor, rather than the previous pastor haunting the place!
• Claim together the future God has for the Chardon Church.  You are a congregation with unlimited potential, a church that can have a huge impact on the community and wider world.  For God’s sake - and the world’s sake - don’t waste it!

In short, remember and live these words of Paul to the Philippians : “Have this mind among yourselves, which you have in Christ Jesus” ... the mind of Christ expressed through love and respect for each other (Philippians 2.5ff)

May God bless us everyone, Henry