Rector Concludes Ministry at St. James
Whyte_Poem
David Whyte - The Well of Grief

Those who will not slip beneath 
the still surface on the well of grief, 

turning down through its black water
to the place we cannot breathe,

will never know the source from which we drink,
the secret water, cold and clear,

nor find in the darkness glimmering,
the small round coins,
thrown by those who wished for something else.

The Well of Grief
River Flow
New & Selected Poems
Many Rivers Press � David Whyte
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ Jesus

Easter Sermon 2
I have formal news that I desire to share with you. After a lengthy period of prayer, fasting, consultation, and deep reflection, I am concluding my ministry as Rector at St. James. I am informing you that St. James' vestry consented to my resignation as Rector at its meeting last evening. My last Sunday worship service will be on Christ the King Sunday (Nov. 22nd). My last day in the office will be Saturday, Nov. 28th.

I shared a lengthy letter with the vestry that I will not include in its entirety here. I invite you to read it. Please also know that I will make time to speak with you about my departure if you wish to meet with me.

In short, I have three reasons for concluding my ministry here. First, 
my passion and gifts for ministry are in are outreach, community engagement, formation, transformational discipleship, and God's Mission in the World;  more so than traditional parish ministy.  I am nonetheless presently responsible for providing pastoral care to and among the members of the congregation. These are legitimate expectations of your priest. I have done my best to fulfill them as well as to fulfill what I believe is my passion for our congregation's outreach and evangelical ministries. And, my truth is that I lean more to accomplishing the Church's mission beyond its walls. I am an apostle more so than a pastor.

Second, I desire to be closer to Howie. We have set our wedding date - May 6, 2016 - in Harrisburg, PA. That time draws nigh. I am increasingly aware of how much we have to do together, and how much I yearn to be with him.  This yearning causes me heartache as I seek to abide in coincidental relationships with the people of St. James Episcopal Church and him.

WCPO article
Third, I believe I am called to use my gifts, interests, and passion for proclaiming the Gospel as a trainer, consultant, and facilitator. I am energized by the prospect of exercising my priesthood in these ways.  We have made significant strides at St. James on such work while I've been here.

As you can imagine, this decision has not come easily or quickly. I am not leaving St. James for another job. I am concluding my ministry here in order to explore and pursue a new phase of ministry. Frankly, this is quite frightening! But it is the honest and Spirit-led thing for me to do.
 
It
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has been a wonderful privilege to serve St. James as your Rector. I trust we will plan well for the conclusion of our relationship as priest and people so that the ministry we have shared, the sufferings we have experienced, the accomplishments we have enjoyed, and the blessings we have received from each other can be celebrated and gratefully offered to God with joyful, wholehearted thanksgiving.
 
I thank you for your support, your dedication to St. James, your faith in Christ Jesus. Thank you for the wisdom and courage you have shared with me. You have been gracious and compassionate. It has, again, been a gifted privilege to serve as your priest. May God grant us faith, hope, and love as we conclude our relationship with one another in the coming weeks.
 
Blessings, Grace, and Godspeed Along The Way,
 
 Jim+

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