Transitions

Rev. Bonnie celebrated her last services at our church on Sunday, complete with a formal (liturgical) ending of her pastoral mission here. The Sunday School kids, Katherine included, processed into sanctuary at the beginning of the service, sang a farewell song a couple of times, said thanks (Katherine including a thank-you for Bonnie baptizing her), and presented her with a stole with kid’s handprints in paint on it.

While Bonnie’s tenure as our assistant rector was, at times, tumultuous, she was without a doubt (in my mind) a powerful and valuable asset to us, a leader of our community, and an inspiration to many. There was a lot of love toward that lady, even among those who were troubled by decisions she made regarding her coming out, and we are lessened by her departure, even while are we are overall better for her having been here.

But, then, this is a time of continued transition in the parish, and it was not only an appropriate time for Bonnie to move on to her own rectorship (at a parish back east), but for the decks to be cleared for our new rector, who (if all goes as planned) will be selected and installed sometime in the next 2-3 months. Indeed, the biggest danger we face is a “the Messiah is coming” set of expectations for said new rector, that s/he will walk in, wave hands, and Make Everything All Better. I think it’s fair to expect leadership, new ideas, and inspration, but the heavy lifting will need to be done by the congregation itself. Which is as it should be.