How do I say good-bye?  Have you ever thought about how your family says good-bye.  In mine there was the required picture at the car before anyone left.  We have a box full of pictures of family and friends next to Plymouths, Fords, a Barracuda, VWs and more.  There was always a final meal together and offers of the “care package” of leftovers to accompany the trip.  Sometimes there were handkerchiefs to wipe away the tears and of course the hugs and kisses even from people you wouldn’t go near on other occasions.

   I’ve heard some of you say that you never say good-bye.  It hurts too much.  Some of you have shared the heartbreak of not being able to say good-bye to a loved one because of an abrupt death or other departure.  For me the unsaid good-byes are the hardest to deal with.

   We need to say good-bye.  It places an end to a particular time in our lives.  That does not mean that there will not be some kind of continued relationship but we are acknowledging that our relationship will be different from now on.  In fact I believe that we cannot say a proper hello until the good-bye we need to say is done.  That is why I need time between my calls, so I can let go of one church and be ready to say hello to another call.

     I have had a wonderful journey with you.  There have been joyous times and some sad times.  We have said good-bye to some saints of the church.  I rejoice with you as you await Shannon’s coming .  You will have the opportunity to say a warm hello to her in just few weeks.  Over the coming weeks that hello will be full and comfortable.  Your relationship with her and her family will grow and blossom.  What grace that is!

   So I say good-bye to you. Please know that I have been blessed by God to have had the opportunity to serve you as interim pastor.

  Karen