Be at peace among yourselves. And we urge you, beloved, to admonish the idlers, encourage the faint-hearted, help the weak, be patient with all of them. See that none of you repays evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to all. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
1 Thessalonians 5:13-18
Dear Memorial,
It is with a mixture of excitement and sadness that I write to you all to tell you that I have accepted a call to another parish and that my last Sunday with you will be August 25th, 2024.
A week or so ago, our family was offered the opportunity to do something that has been in the back of our minds for many years: to move to North Carolina and be closer to family and friends. Neither Monica nor I expected things to progress so far so fast, but when you put the Holy Spirit in charge it is almost never in your hands. This past week I accepted the offer and we have begun putting together the various pieces for our own physical transition to North Carolina and the spiritual and practical transitions that will take place here at Memorial.
Your wardens, Stacy and Beth, have been working with the Diocesan Canon for Transitions on a transition plan, and yesterday we met with the vestry to inform them of the pending transition as well. The responses have been a mixture of excitement for us, shock and surprise, and sadness, and... well we are feeling very much the same in the Maggiano household.
It has been truly a privilege and honor to serve as your rector these last eight and a half years, to walk with you through moments of great joy and tremendous sadness, of new beginnings and of rough moments of confusion and loss. But what I have enjoyed most is seeing the words of our savior Jesus come alive in you, in word and in deed. From how you treat each other on a Sunday morning to how you rally support behind those who are hurting in our community you truly are Christ's hands and feet in the world.
There will be much more to say before we say goodbye, but let me leave you with this. Come September I will no longer be the Rector of Memorial Episcopal Church. And that is sad for me and sad for you as well. But I do still get to be your friend. You will remain in my prayers as a parish and as individuals who have shared so much with me and my family. We will not soon forget you all.
I began this reflection with Paul's farewell to the Thessalonians: if we can all follow Paul's words in the days and weeks and years to come, Memorial and the various communities we all come to serve and love will do just fine indeed.
In Christ
Grey+