A Message from the Interim Rector

Saturday, August 24, 2024

Dear friends,

The working life of an interim rector is not usually made up of neat beginnings and endings. Sometimes it isn’t clear how long your time will be. And when you end, there may not be a new place conveniently waiting for you. This is a roundabout way of saying that my tenure at Church of the Messiah is coming to an end, with my final Sunday on September 15. There will be one Eucharist that day, at 9:30 am, followed by the church picnic.

Saying goodbye is always difficult, at least for me, because I like to become fully involved with the church and get to know the people. You can’t do this job without love. You’ll often hear me say, “Without love, everything is difficult. With love, everything is possible”. So, it has been a special privilege to have served and loved you and prayed for you, and in turn I thank you all for your love, prayers and support.

There will be an announcement very soon regarding my successor. The search committee have done a thorough job in evaluating the candidates and the vestry has made the final decision. More I cannot say at this stage.

I will be here for the next four Sundays and for a special Celtic Eucharist on Saturday, August 31 at 5:00 pm. Being a priest is one of the best jobs in the world because I get to talk about Jesus Christ. In everything I try to live by his example, although I don’t always succeed. Sometimes it’s like walking up a steep hill - hard to do on your own, but with the support of the Christian family, and by the grace of God, it can be done. This is what I have learned in church, which is why I think churches still matter.

I look forward to walking up that hill with you over the next four Sundays. In the meantime, please pray for your church and for the work of the vestry. It is not long before a new chapter in the story of the Church of the Messiah begins.

With thanks and prayers,

Father David