Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of
things not seen. (Hebrews 11.1)

As I write this, Amy and I are up to our ears in boxes and trash bags.
We’re in the midst of the chaos of downsizing and packing for our move
to Vermont.  It’s a moment in which we find ourselves both energized  by the
promise of the future that lies before of us, and bogged down by the details
and drudgery that we have to wade through to get there . . . sort of like going
for a walk in woods on a beautiful day in mud season!  Needless to say, we are eager to be resettled and have the hard work of moving behind us.  We long for the future, but are temporarily stuck in the muck of the moment.

But our present circumstances hints at something of deeper significance – something wonderful, inspiring, and reassuring.  As the writer of Hebrews states in the passage above, our lives are constantly being drawn toward an ever-more-satisfying experience of God’s love for the world, even though it always seems just beyond the horizon of the present moment.  Therefore, we lean into God’s future, letting go of anything that threatens to hold us back from the blessings that lie ahead.

I feel very blessed by your Call to be your Pastor, and am humbled by the confidence you have placed in me to help the Sharon Congregational Church to fulfill it’s God-given mission.  I am deeply grateful for the work that the Search Committee has done (and continues to do!) to pave the way for a smooth transition of pastoral leadership.  I
feel privileged to have had the opportunity to get to know Pastor Marjorie, and
to appreciate the wonderful ministry she has performed among you.  And, most of all, I look forward to getting to know all the rest of you who, in ways both large and small, contribute to the rich, multi-faceted life of this church.
May the peace and joy of God’s love be with you, now and always.

–
Duane