As people of faith, we can see change and transition from a more faithful perspective. Jesus told us, "Behold; I make all things new." (Revelation 21:1) And Paul reminds us that "if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: see, everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new." (2 Corinthians 5:17)

        It almost sounds as if the only thing we can count on in God is that everything will be made new! Change seems to be a sign that we are spiritually alive! Now, relax; take a breath. That may sound a little overwhelming, until you remember that every time God asks us to do something, God gives us the grace to do it.

        In the coming months of transition, there will be changes. Already there's the change of having someone completely different at the altar and in the pulpit. Because I am a different person, I am probably not always going to do things the way Eric or Susan did them. And it's okay to grieve that, even as you grieve not having Emily and Margaret around, and not seeing the Williams' car when you pull into the parking lot. (Mine is the red one with the Wisconsin license plates.)

        What I bring is 18 years of parish ministry, in a variety of settings: some very large parishes, a couple the size of St. Luke's, and one very small parish that is dying because they did not make important changes as the world around them changed. I will be drawing from all those experiences, and telling you those stories as we go, but I especially want to hear the story of how St. Luke's came to be what it is today. Because it's also important to realize that when we move into a new chapter, we take some of who we are right now with us. Let's be intentional about what those things are.

                                                -- Madre Liz Simmons