My last letter to Redeemer

This letter to the people of Redeemer marks the close of my ministry here. But I hope it does not mark the end of our commitment to the people of the Gulf Coast and to the continued rebuilding of lives and structures here. I will return to MA in February to serve Trinity Parish in Haverhill. I look forward to this new period of my life and ministry. God willing, we will be a window into God's Kingdom in that city. I will occasionally blog as I return home so stay tuned.. You just never know what waits around the corner..

To the Church of the Redeemer, Biloxi

As Christmas draws to a close and Epiphany waits for us around the corner, I am filled with wonder and appreciation for the journey which has wound through our lives these past two years. The comfort and intimacy of the story of the Nativity moves now to the revelation of Love in this God who is man and man who is God – Jesus Christ. During the Epiphany season we will watch Jesus as He is baptized, as He calls his disciples, as He struggles with His self-identity, and finally as He is revealed on the Mount of the Transfiguration as Son of God. Each encounter with disciples, prophets, peasant women, lepers, crowds of adoring fans – each of these encounters serves as an opportunity for Jesus to grow in understanding of His intimate relationship with the Father and to reflect the face of God more clearly to us.

Whether we were at Loaves and Fishes or IHN, during worship or in hospital rooms, at baptisms and at funerals, or enjoying the fellowship of volunteer cook-outs, I am aware that each of these encounters was an opportunity for us to grow in our understanding and love of God and in love for each other. Some encounters have been full of pain, some anger, many have been filled with joy and laughter, but all have been a gift from God to you and to me. These two years are a treasure that I will hold all of my life. I had no idea when I set out from Massachusetts in my sandals to come to Mississippi how welcomed I would be, how generous with your time and talent you would be, and how much I would learn about you, about me, about our work in God’s Kingdom, and about God. I will miss our day to day encounters, but you will never be far from my thoughts and my prayers. I will hold you in my heart.

I am truly a person of two homes. I am a Southerner through and through. I love the gentle breezes and the shade of oak trees weighted down by Spanish Moss. I love the smell of chicken frying and the sound of a lure as it hits the water in between the Cypress trees. I love the friendly embrace of a stranger who welcomes me into his/her home and offers me rich, hot coffee and salted pecans - simply because I knocked. I have learned to love hockey – Mississippi style. But I also love the beauty of the New England winter, the quiet of the snow falling, and the lights of the cities that are so bright I cannot see the stars in the sky. I love the flowers that burst out in frenzy as if winter might come before they can show all of their colors – and the fact that it might! I have even learned to enjoy – horror of horrors – a New England boiled dinner and of course I love the Sox.

When I first met with Bishop Bud and talked about the possibility of moving to Biloxi, I had in mind to build bridges. First and foremost was the work of being priest at Redeemer, helping our rector where I could, and being a lightning rod for renewed hope and joy after the losses of Katrina. But there was always the other side of my mission here – the support of volunteers and the work of assisting with the rebuilding of the community’s spirit shattered by the destruction. I wanted to introduce to Mississippi some Yankee ingenuity and the can-do approach to rebuilding. New Englanders desire and respect the responsibility of government to create institutions that provide for justice and equality and I wanted to talk about how we in the south might “do justice” (Micah 6) a little better. In like manner, I wanted to teach my friends in Massachusetts about the southern love of life, good food, good music, and fellowship, the attention to polite detail and social convention that respects the pride and integrity of all, the intimacy that develops when two strangers ask the “who are your people” question until they each finally find common ground and therefore a reason to foster a friendship. I see God at work in both of my homes and I hope that through our conversations, our shared work, our listening to each other, and our love of God that we have begun to build bridges between Massachusetts and Mississippi that will endure and will make us both better for having done the work.

January 11 will be my last Sunday at Redeemer as your Associate Rector. Faye has told me that I am to ask her before I make any plans for the day so I assume that there will be ample opportunity for us to say good bye and to shed tears together. I hope the next time I come to Redeemer it will be to share in the celebration of a new church building and to join you in praise and thanksgiving for the gifts that you will bring to that worship space. If God is willing and the planes are flying I will come for that glorious day.

You have endured my chanting, welcomed my ideas, encouraged me when I slipped, and taught me much about being a priest. I am truly grateful. I will hold you in my prayers each night as I hope you will hold me in yours.

Now may the Peace of God that passes all understanding keep your heart and your mind in the knowledge and the love of God and of God’s Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. May God’s holy, healing Spirit be your guide as your path changes and turns, and may the blessing of God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, guard and keep you and those you love now and forever. Amen
Jane+