Beloveds,

After much deliberation, I have decided this will be my last year as your Senior Minister. While my enthusiasm for and dedication to Common Flame remain robust, and gratefully, I am still in good health, I must accept that the years in front of me are far fewer than the ones behind me. I long for some shared new adventures and experiences with my greatest love, Betsy Brown.

Leaving will not be easy. Every Sunday in which I lead worship I say my name and hasten to add “it is my honor and privilege to serve as the Senior Minister of this congregation.” It is. Still. Fifteen years in, those words are still the right ones to name how blessed I have been by your decision to call me into this role in April, 2011.

And yet, I have watched as ministers stayed too long. They either outlasted their welcome or their energy or both. I love you too much to do that. 

Additionally, the world is quickly changing. It is a good time for another minister to bring new ideas and different gifts. Together you will do great things because you are a fabulous congregation.

Rest assured there is work for us to do this year. The Board will be making decisions aplenty. I know you will support our Board with your kind and generous participation. There will likely be an Interim minister whose training and calling is to guide congregations through ministerial transitions. I admire and trust my colleagues who do this work of loving and leading for a fixed time period. Their wisdom is hard won and a gift to any congregation to get ready for someone new.

And so, dear ones, rest assured that I will be present with you and to you for this entire church year. Then, in late June, I will bid you farewell. I will forever hold you in my heart and be cheering you on from a distance as you continue to become the congregation you are called to be.

With fierce gratitude and abiding love,

Rev. Wendy