LET THE WORD GO FORTH

Sunday, April 17, 2016       St. John Lutheran Church, Riverton, WY



This morning at the end of worship I announced I was retiring from active parish ministry in a few months. The date of my last worship service will be either July 24th or August 7, 2016. In August I will celebrate 38 years in this ministry.

While people filed out a few people said they were shocked and didn't see it coming. One woman said that I made her husband cry. Some other comments revolved around saying thanks for all I had done for one person or another. Most comments were that they are happy for us but saddened as well.

A bit over a week ago Cindy and I took our friends Larry and Judy out to dinner. Larry is the congregation president. During the course of that meal we told them the news. There was stunned silence for a bit. We finally got down to talking about it more openly.

Then on the next Sunday I told the council as they met for another reason. Again there was stunned silence. A few were a bit emotional. Then last Tuesday at our regularly called meeting the council formally accepted my letter of retirement. They suggested I tell the congregation this morning.

Tomorrow at work I will send the required paperwork to my Bishop in Denver informing him of everything. I will also send copies of this to the congregation.

So the word is out.

In the morning we have the first showing of our house to the buying public. Our house went on the market over the weekend.

We know God will provide. We just need to be patient.



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