Another Goodbye

Our church will be welcoming a new pastor on December 2nd, which means we had to say goodbye to our interim pastor today. I will be forever grateful for her help with this transition. It is not an easy process and it takes a special kind of person to do what Hollie did for Light of the World. Thank you again Pastor Hollie.

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Brian and I said a few words to thank Pastor Hollie. Here they are:

Gina:

I like the middle of things

The middle of an Oreo - preferably a double stuf

The middle brownie

The middle part of the pizza and pie. Brian eats the crusts.

I am a middle child…which most of you know, but might explain a few things to the rest of you.

And relationships. I like the middle of relationships.

I’m not a huge fan of beginnings and endings. Hellos and goodbyes.

When you first meet someone, it can be awkward. What are we going to talk about? How much of myself do I want this other person to know about me? How much of themselves are they going to show me? I’m going judge them even though I try hard not to. Are they judging me?

And goodbyes…well, I don’t like them. At all.

The middle, however, after my guard is let down and I don’t have to worry about those other things, that is my favorite part. The “building and growing a relationship” part.

I have truly enjoyed our middle with you Pastor Hollie. Getting used to someone new after being comfortable for 5 years is difficult. You handled it beautifully.

Although there are many, one of the things I will be forever grateful to you for is handing us the “No Exceptions” part of service. Now, whoever walks through our LOTW door will know that it isn't the pastor welcoming them no matter what their background is, it’s us. The congregation saying, we are glad you are here, come and break some bread with us.

Brian:

Being the president when Pastor Deb announced she was leaving, I was obviously involved in replacing her.

We needed to find someone who would help lead us through the process, but also willing to challenge our way of thinking because it was critical to determine what was (and wasn’t) important to us.

Your job was far from easy, but you were exactly what we needed during this time.

Thank you.

This community, no matter where God takes us from here, will forever be in debt to you for helping us on our journey. You will always have a special place in LOTW’s story.

And…we’re definitely going to miss you as well.

…hug…