"You'll Do Great" by Sierra-Marie Gerfao

One year ago, the Rev. Barbara Merritt, newly retiring, wrote to you: "We are like birds that spend the night in the same tree, and then, in the morning, fly off in different directions. At least that is the metaphor I heard in India to describe the transitory nature of all human relationships."

Day is a-breaking! Soon, we will fly off in different directions. Though my last day will not be until July 31^st, we have come to the end of much of our work together.

Thank you to everyone who came to hear me preach, in my staff role here, one final time last Sunday. I believe the divine spirit was present with us. Thank you for the very fun and sweet going-away party. I appreciated every detail, truly, and I know how hard so many of you worked on it. Thank you so much for the honor of the Montessori globes given to each of the Spirit Play classrooms. I am humbled and grateful. Thank you also for my Kindle, which I had wanted for so long, and for my memory book, which I already treasure dearly. And the giant card, well, my goodness how I appreciate your kind words.

Most of all, as I said last Sunday, thank you for allowing me to take this walk with you over the last four years. Thank you for your patience, forgiveness, and good humor, and for allowing me to grow into my gifts, and allowing me to be your partner as you grow into your gifts. Thank you for teaching me, and thank you for being willing to learn from me, even though I came to be what you didn't expect, and maybe what you didn't think you wanted. Thank you for being proactive and enthusiastic in the development of your own ministries, which belong to you, and of which I was only your partner, nothing more and nothing less. It has been an honor and a joy.

As I said over a year ago when I first announced my acceptance into divinity school: "You are a magnificent congregation, and you have my love, loyalties, best wishes, and affection."

Now, a few final words to all of you, as a congregation:

First, I am excited for you about your future. This coming Sunday, an announcement will be made introducing you to your new Director of Faith Development Ministries. I know you will welcome her right in, celebrate, and use fully the unique gifts and strengths she brings with her to this work. In the Fall, I understand that you will also be welcoming another new staff person with the addition of a quarter-time Youth Ministries Coordinator to the Faith Development staff team. This is the result of several years of hard work and persistence, and I know it will serve you well.

What is most exciting about your future, however, is you. In my time here, I never once presented you with a vision that was not yours. As I wrote moments ago, your ministries belong to you. Instead, I partnered with you to bring to articulation the vision that you had for your ministries, and to work toward this vision. It is this vision - this vision that arises out of you - this vision of lifespan faith development ministries - ever-more articulated each year, that makes me certain that you will do great! In our short years together, we plotted the garden, tilled the soil, and in some cases, planted some seeds for a new era in your life as a congregation. We have seen a few blooms, but mostly we have been waiting. The best years are yet to come.

Now, to mix some metaphors and return to the birds in the tree, I close thusly: Many blessings to you, as we prepare to take flight from this tree, which we have shared for a time much briefer than we thought we might, but long enough for us to see the promise in one another, and the divine spark that lives in all of us. Be well, and I trust our paths will someday cross again!

With the warmth of the chalice flame,

Sierra-Marie Gerfao

Director of Religious Education/

Director of Faith Development Ministries