Fare-Well by Rev. Jan Bihl

As I write this, I am aware, as I have been each day this week, that this is my final week of ministry with you here at Como Lake and your final week in this ministry relationship with me. I will be stepping across a new threshold after this Sunday, as will you as a congregation. We are each in a time of change that requires care-filled attention to the new turning Season that is before us and a care-filled remembering and honouring of Who and what has led us to this point. There will be the celebrating and the reminiscing, and there will be the joy and the grief - and all that comes when something matters deeply. You and your loving, kind, creative, faithful work matter to God, to me, and to the world around. As people of deep faith in Christ, you are part of how God is working in this world and I hope you know that deep in your heart and soul.

Though I will be stepping away from any formal or informal ministry with you for the required two years, I will be with you in spirit. Know that I will be remembering, celebrating, thinking of you and praying for you as I take time and space to look through the 16 years of papers, notes, photos, and memories that are now in the middle of our living room! I will be honouring the work we have done together and trusting in the Holy Spirit’s continued work. You are the conscious circle of Jesus’ living community of faith, here and now, surrounded by the great cloud of witnesses, who have gone before us, and are cheering us on in faith!

I’m reminded of how, like the first disciples, we are always flummoxed when Jesus tries to tell us that things are going to be different...that he will be with us in a new way, and we can do this next thing within a new provision of God’s grace. Remember when Jesus told the first disciples he would be leaving? He said I will be leaving, I’m sending a friend, the comforter, the advocate, the walking-alongside Holy Spirit to be with you and in you to remind you of all I have taught. They could not believe it. Could not fathom it. Though he tried to get it across to them, they did not understand until later that though he was physically gone, he was indeed with them in a new way. He was able to companion them because of the Holy Spirit. So it is today, when any one of Jesus’ disciple leaders leaves, Jesus is still with us...the Holy Spirit continues to work. We are entrusted to carry on with the faith and practices we have been taught. To try out our wings in the new situation.

There is a Season, turn, turn, turn...and a time to every purpose under heaven. The inspiration for the work of faith is never totally ours, but/and it matters that we show up as our spiritual self and do our part. It is God, the Trinity, who calls each of us to participate in our unique way. When we have completed the work that is ours to do, it’s time to let go and trust in the Spirit for the next steps for each and all of us. As Gerhard and I enter the next Season, we do so with great love, gratitude, and appreciation for you.

The Peace of Christ be with you.

Rev. Jan