March 11, 2018
Dear Friends,
It has been twelve and half years since I came to serve as Associate Rector of St. George’s. December 2005 was a beginning of an absolutely marvelous journey with God and the people of St. George’s and I am writing to tell you that it is now the time and season of my retirement from full time ministry. As it says in the book of Ecclesiastes, “For everything there is a season and a time for every purpose under heaven.” My last Sunday will be June 10th and by that time I will have been in full time pastoral ministry for 31 years.
I want you to know something I believe with all my heart: there could be no finer parish to serve anywhere! Your faithfulness, commitment, generosity, open mindedness, ease of laughter and warmhearted support have brought me the deepest rewards of ministry. We have faced many challenges and experienced many mountaintops together, and the ministry we have shared has been a rich source of joy and fulfillment in my life. There could be no greater gift than having had the opportunity to work with you to see the vision of the Nave renovation and the mission and ministries of St. George’s expanded. To be invited to share in the trials and triumphs of your lives as we traveled the journey of faith together has been a great blessing. Thank you for the trust you have placed in me as one of your pastors over these years.
Joe will be letting you know the plan for hiring someone to ensure the best possible transition for the church. I know that it will be an exciting time as St. Georges’ moves forward from strength to strength.
I cannot close this letter without telling you how grateful I have been for your love and support for my family especially Keira and Tommy. I do know that I could not have raised Keira without your care, support and help and we could not have walked the journey of Tommy’s illness and death without you. You all have truly been life support for us these last 12 months, thank you!
When I came to St. George’s I knew that my next move would be home to Savannah and Keira and I are both excited. We miss the ocean’s waves and the Spanish Moss which, by the way, is a whole lot prettier than Kudzu. I trust the Spirit’s guidance will be with Keira and me, and the church, as we are led into the next season of our lives.
With deepest gratitude,
Gay
Dearest Gay
Sherry and I just read your letter today on the web. We did not know until today. I am sure with all that has been going on we missed receiving it.
We can not begin to express to you how saddened we are although we surely wish you much Happiness!
Your friendship and support is surely treasured. We will miss you so very much.
Thank you for your kind words. We will pass them on to Gay.