I am still cleaning up files on my computer. Looking at pictures has been slowing down the process. Seeing this photo from February 23, 2016 really made me stop for a while.
Each year the chancery staff goes on a one day retreat during Lent to the Abbey of St. Walburga in Virginia Dale, Colorado. In 2016 I had the privilege of leading the retreat for my colleagues. I remember that event producing a little more anxiety than what I typically experience at other speaking engagements. I even wrote in a blog post on February 22, 2016 that I was concerned about the Scripture verse related to a "prophet in his own hometown." Thankfully, my co-workers were very kind to me and showed up for each of the sessions. (I know the gift shop was calling a couple of them pretty intensely, but they resisted the urge to skip the sessions for more shopping.)
As I look at the photo (above) taken at the end of the retreat, I am struck by a couple of things. First of all, we accomplish a lot of work with a very small staff. Secondly, the one constant seems to be change. After I depart my position at the end of the month, I will be the sixth person from that group of 14 who are no longer at the chancery. That is a lot of change in just over a two year period.
Transitions can be a challenge. Please pray for all who are facing transitions. Graduations happen at this time of year and change takes place. Clergy changes in the Church happen frequently during this time of year as well. Wedddings also occur at this time of year and transitions take place after saying, "I do." Military personnel make transitions frequently, and sometimes under quite stressful situations. People in secular jobs get promoted or transferred, or worse yet, laid off. People relocate to different parts of the country or world for a variety of reasons. Change is the constant.
I simply invite you to pray for all who are making transitions of any kind. I assure the chancery personnel of my prayers for each of them as they encounter another transition with my departure. May we each experience God's blessings and peace!
Each year the chancery staff goes on a one day retreat during Lent to the Abbey of St. Walburga in Virginia Dale, Colorado. In 2016 I had the privilege of leading the retreat for my colleagues. I remember that event producing a little more anxiety than what I typically experience at other speaking engagements. I even wrote in a blog post on February 22, 2016 that I was concerned about the Scripture verse related to a "prophet in his own hometown." Thankfully, my co-workers were very kind to me and showed up for each of the sessions. (I know the gift shop was calling a couple of them pretty intensely, but they resisted the urge to skip the sessions for more shopping.)
As I look at the photo (above) taken at the end of the retreat, I am struck by a couple of things. First of all, we accomplish a lot of work with a very small staff. Secondly, the one constant seems to be change. After I depart my position at the end of the month, I will be the sixth person from that group of 14 who are no longer at the chancery. That is a lot of change in just over a two year period.
Transitions can be a challenge. Please pray for all who are facing transitions. Graduations happen at this time of year and change takes place. Clergy changes in the Church happen frequently during this time of year as well. Wedddings also occur at this time of year and transitions take place after saying, "I do." Military personnel make transitions frequently, and sometimes under quite stressful situations. People in secular jobs get promoted or transferred, or worse yet, laid off. People relocate to different parts of the country or world for a variety of reasons. Change is the constant.
I simply invite you to pray for all who are making transitions of any kind. I assure the chancery personnel of my prayers for each of them as they encounter another transition with my departure. May we each experience God's blessings and peace!
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