When I sat down at my computer to prepare my final "Trumpeter" article, I found that I had: A mind numbed by packing and planning, A body tired from lifting box after box after box, and A heart heavy from the thought of having less than a month left to spend with people who mean so much to me.
And thus as I tried to prepare this good-bye article, I also found that I had: A brain devoid of any idea as to what to say or how to say it.
But you have known me long enough to understand that something as minor as an empty brain would never prevent me from saying something.
But I wanted what I said to be meaningful. That, of course meant, I needed help and direction. Fortunately, I am not - and hopefully will never be - too proud to seek directions - particularly from God. [I know that asking for directions flies in the face of all those jokes about proud males.]
And after one attempt failed because it was too close to what I want to say in my last sermon, I prayed and listened. As I did so, I began to realize that there were two thoughts that I wanted to leave with you.
The first is to have a positive attitude. If we trust God, this is easy - although it does not seem to come naturally to many adult humans.
In fact, I came to identify this need in the life of the church because I stumbled onto it in my own life.
The length of time since it was announced that I would be leaving, the pressures of packing and not knowing the exact date or moving company, the leaving of friends that we have acquired during our thirteen years in the North Country, and the increasing feeling that I had become a lame duck (except in worship) have exacted their toll on both Marge and me.
Then on Thursday, May 21 I returned to the parsonage from the church because I was just too mentally tired to accomplish anything. Instead of my anticipated nap, however, Marge and I sat in the swing on the back porch and talked. As we talked, I began to realize that this was the most relaxed either of us has been since the announcement over three months before. I wondered why.
After all, we have had a number of good and enjoyable experiences together during that time. Then I realized we were talking with no pre-ordained agenda of decisions to make. Instead we were focusing not on tasks and problems, but on possibilities.
What a remarkable gift that was. It was a gift to me as a person; to Marge and me as a couple; and to (hopefully) to this congregation as it moves ahead.
Bishop Webb is sending you a highly regarded pastor with the gifts and graces that can help you move forward with excitement and enthusiasm. And, of course, if you have the Bishop, Brooke, and Christ with you, there should be no reason to have anything but a confident, positive attitude.
The second point that I want to share is that of commitment. I thought about this on the same day as Marge and I sat in the swing. For that evening I talked with Brad Clements about making his membership commitments.
The first three of the five commitments are reaffirmations or confirmations of our baptismal vows and as such are commitments to Christ and the universal church. Without these, the other two would be hollow.
The fourth is to be loyal to the UMC, a loyalty to be demonstrated not by blind obedience, but by doing all in our power to strengthen its ministries.
The fifth is to participate in the ministries of this congregation by your prayers, your presence, your gifts, and your service.
And so as I at last follow Horace Greeley's advice to "Go west" I do so praying that you will greet your new pastor with a positive attitude that focuses on possibilities rather than problems and that propels you to renew the commitments you made at your baptism and when you became members of the congregation.
And, of course, I also leave with deep gratitude for all you have done for me and for all we have together done for Christ. I have been blessed to serve you and with you.
Jim