Well, I’ve cleaned out the office and
turned in my keys. I guess it’s
official now. But I can’t say enough
how you all here at Abiding Savior have impacted me and my family. What a
blessing you all have been to us – to me in my ministry among you.
I’ve said before how when I stop
doing this church-stuff, one of the things I’ll miss most is sermon
preparation. And I’m still baffled how some
come back week after week and among other things, hear me talk about what I’ve
processed through the prior week.
Actually I think I do this preaching-thing
mostly for me. The planning process helps
me listen to the Spirit. It gives me
some space to think-through some of the important things. And the writing of those thoughts, the
organizing process of getting these ideas into some coherent message… And the speaking of this thing, the process
of getting these nebulous ideas into the world… all this helps me make some
sense of this wondrous world; both the physical one as well as the Spiritual
one.
This is certainly reflective of my
pre-dispositions. In those written aptitude
tests they give you in high school and college, I seemed to always indicate a
high aptitude for things like psychology, counseling, anthropology, sociology,
and the clergy world (huh… who knew?!).
Seems I’ve always leaned towards the world of “people”, the mind, and
the relationship between the two. If I
had to put all this into a topic sentence:
I just find this journey of life deeply fascinating!
I heard a quote recently: “I’m not religious because I’m ignorant. I’m religious because I’m in awe!” Now, ironically, I don’t consider myself
very religious (just ask the altar guild)… but I am in awe! For me, God is not “up there” somewhere,
but right here – around us, in our time and space… in our actions, in our
words, in our thoughts and lives.
I see God in the creation itself, in
the world around us, in the natural world for sure; in the world of plants and
animals, in the world of things and people, in the world of sky and spirit.
I’m in awe of God – and in people too! I’m
in awe of you all! Of God in you… In your
interactions, in your prayers, in your songs and your singing.
Over the last twenty-plus years, I’ve
been a part of things that lean one towards the Spirit; off-and-on healing
work, leading worship, praying with people, being with people during mile-stone
life events, hearing people in their life-challenges, etc. And in all this, I’ve learned to recognize
the presence of the Spirit. I have
recognized the presence of the Spirit in worship among you! And this is part of my “awe”. You’ve
all been a part of this “awe”!
I want to say Thank You to you all for
these wonderful twelve-plus year stay among you. This place – the space where we’ve gathered –
with you… and your good spirits and
energy, and your good humor… all this has come to feel like home! You all have come to feel like family!
Like many families, this one has it’s
own familiar character as well; There
are the patriarchs and matriarchs – the elders of the community, those whose words and
personalities carry some weight. Then there
are the children – the babies and little ones.
It’s always good to hear the sounds of little ones here among us- signs
of life and family! There are the family
“pillars”… the ones that others know they can lean on, that will be there for
you. And of course like every family,
this community has its own “eccentric” personalities – those with their own… shall
we say “unique style” (you know who you are).
This family has members from different backgrounds and life-experiences. This is your strength – your diversity!
In all this – you are bound
together. The reason you all to “together”
well is because you’re a healthy family!
While we all may not be completely healthy as individuals (unless you’re
lucky enough to be one of the eccentric ones!)… but together, though… as a community, you’re healthy! You’re healthy together! You bring out the
best in each other! You care for each other. You love each other! You share mutual respect for each other! You take time to listen to each other, you don’t
shut each other out!
Remember this! Remember who you are. Remember to keep doing this. Because this really is God’s call. Remember
God’s presence is with you all!
The Spirit is here! Among you… around you… and within you! Continue
to let God dwell in the midst of this wonderfully diverse and life-affirming
family! Let God’s light continue to shine;
as you warmly welcome new people, as you speak out for God’s justice in a world
that needs to hear and see this!
As you live out your faith – at home,
at work, in the world in general – as you encounter those that don’t look like
you, don’t sound like you, don’t act like you… continue to let the nobler
ideals of the Gospel be the ideals that guide you all… this family of God! Continue
to be open to the Spirit of God, allowing it to lead you further onto the higher
paths… continue to be the people of
light!
So when new people come – and they
will – they’ll know right off who you really are, what you really stand for, what
you believe! They’ll know you believe in the Spirit of
God! That you believe in the God of Light
and hope. That you believe in the deep
Mystery!
It’s been a real pleasure being here
with you all! It’s been my honor being your
pastor. With deep gratitude we – my family
and I – say Thank you! Thank you for
the gifts over the years; gifts of life and love and wonderful memories! Thank
you also for the gifts we all received on our last day among you… such
wonderful things! We shall treasure
them all! They mean more than you will
ever know!
We leave not only this wonderful
space, but you – this wonderful community of heart and Spirit! We take this warmth with us (we’ll need all
the warmth we can get!). And I hope we
leave with your blessing as we follow God’s Spirit. We leave calling you friends! God bless
you all – you wonderful people!
Peace,
Pastor Chad Kline
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