29 January 2023

 

 

Dear Friends:

 

One of my favorite songs, now almost 60 years old, written by Pete Seeger and recorded by The Byrds in 1965, is “Turn, Turn, Turn”. The lyrics are much older, however, originally penned by the ancient biblical poet in The Book of Ecclesiastes and one of my favorite pieces of scripture:

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to throw away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to throw away; a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace. (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8)

 

You may be less familiar with the follow-on verses:

What gain have the workers from their toil? I have seen the business that God has given to everyone to be busy with. He has made everything suitable for its time …

 

After more than thirty years of ordained ministry, eighteen of which have been here at Church of the Messiah, my “suitable time” is now coming to an end. It is time to retire from full-time ministry and move on to a new chapter, new callings, new adventures. Therefore, my final day as Rector and my final day among you will be Sunday, June 11th.

 

Let us commit to holding one another, and Messiah, in mutual prayer as we move through this period of transition. Thank you for your love and support over the past years and into the future.

 

Blessings!

 

Keith