Dear St. Andrew’s Community,
In August 2019, I had no idea what was to come.
I had a 13-month old baby, and a lot of excitement about being a rector for the first time, and the search committee at St. Andrew’s offered me a call.
I could never have anticipated all that came after that moment, when St. Andrew’s and I said yes to each other - all the joys: the meals and coffee dates, the children in preschool chapel and newcomers on Sundays, the Rebel Women Bible study, parish retreats; all the challenges: the fear of the pandemic, of keeping a school and church thriving through so much change, trying to make the best decisions but failing, the pain of loss. Who could have known what was to come - the joy of singing Crowded Table together, the Maundy Thursday agape meals on the patio, the art-making and staff changes and moving into the rectory.
I find myself in a similar place now, as I write to tell you that my family has decided to move back home to Kansas City in January 2025. January 5th, when we celebrate the feast of Epiphany, will be our last Sunday with you.
This feels like impossible news. I imagine it is always emotional for a priest to announce that they are being called elsewhere - but somehow, I feel I am leaving a part of me, and the pain of an upcoming separation is almost too big to bear.
David and I have made this decision after much discernment and prayer, and are confident that it is the best choice for the wellness of our whole family. My parents, brother and sister-in-law, nieces, and many family members are located in Kansas City, the place where I grew up. We have always anticipated a move back home, but were never sure when it would feel like the right time. Now is the right time for us.
I think there would probably never be a right time for us to leave St. Andrew’s. Being your rector has been nothing short of magical - an alignment of call and passion and creativity and love that I never could have anticipated. My children have grown up in this community, and so have I - being in ministry alongside all of you has made me the priest I am today. We have come so far together.
I want you to know how deeply I have been changed by this place. I want you to know how special this place is - and that’s not because of me. Yes, things will change when we leave; yes, a chapter is ending. But St. Andrew’s is special because of all of you, because of your love for each other, and because of your commitment to live lives of faith in real, authentic ways.
We will have plenty of time for a good goodbye - and knowing us, I know we will throw some great parties to celebrate this time we’ve shared. Your vestry is committed to leading the community through this process with love and honesty - be on the lookout for ways you can support St. Andrew’s as we prepare for this transition.
In an effort to be totally transparent, I will let you know that I currently do not have another church call. We have decided to move closer to family, and have faith that opportunities for ministry will reveal themselves. I am just beginning to enter the search process for one congregation in the Kansas City area, and feel a holy openness to what might come next.
For now, I ask your prayers - for my family, as we prepare to make a big move, and as we do the difficult work of saying goodbye to a place and people we love so much. I ask your prayers for our St. Andrew’s church and preschool - a community that has thrived for decades and will thrive for many more to come.
As it happens, I will be out of town next Sunday, 10/27, for the wedding of a dear friend. I'm sorry that the timing is such that I won't be with you next Sunday to begin to process this transition together, but I wanted to share the news as soon as it made sense to do so. I will be at church on November 3rd, and we will have time after church to be together. There will be many chances over the next two-and-a-half months to celebrate all we've accomplished together, to hug, and to vision what's to come.
with love,
Mother Mary Lynn
marylynn@standrewspb.org
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