May Pastoral Letter
Dear Friends,
Goodbye.
It is the word that we are saying to one another on Sunday, May 1–the day that I will leave for 3 months of sabbatical and vacation.
For people we know and love, it is hard to say goodbye.
And so I looked up the word “goodbye” in search of other ways to say it:
“Sayonara!”- Means “Goodbye forever” or “Goodbye, I don't know when I'll see you again”. Because of this, Japanese people will rarely use the word. This word will not do for me, as I know I will see you again–on August 1!
“Farewell!” - As in “May you fare well” expresses wishes of well-being at a time of parting. This word is better, as I do hope you will fare well this summer.
“Adios!” - Spanish adiós, from a 'to' + Dios 'God'; means, “Until we meet again, God be with you.” This word is even better, as I do pray that until we meet again, God will be with you.
“Shalom!” - This Hebrew word is used both to greet people and to bid them farewell, but it means much more than hello or goodbye. This beautiful word “Shalom” is a blessing on many levels. Whenever you employ the word “Shalom” you are speaking into someone’s life all the wonderful things that the word means: peace, harmony, wholeness, well-being, and tranquility.
At the end of every Sunday worship service, I end with a blessing from Numbers 6:24-26 that goes like this:
The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord be kind and gracious to you.
The Lord look upon you with favor and give you peace, that is SHALOM.
This is the perfect word to use as I leave to pray God’s blessings upon you!
Goodbyes aren’t easy.
Saying goodbye is a heartfelt and difficult process, but it’s an integral part of everyday life.
We say goodbye, trusting in God, who keeps our going out and our coming in, from this time on and forevermore.
Throughout the Bible, we don’t read about God or Jesus saying to the people, “Goodbye, Sayonara, good luck, hope it all works out.” Instead, we read about blessings. Even as God calls the people to go into the wilderness, God blesses them. Before Jesus began his journey to Jerusalem, God blesses him: “And a voice from heaven said, ‘This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:17).
In Circle of Grace, Jan Richardson wrote a book of blessings for the seasons. One spoke to me and I wanted to offer it to you as a blessing for our sabbatical parting. It’s called “Beloved Is Where We Begin:”
If you would enter
into the wilderness,
do not begin
without a blessing.
Do not leave
without hearing
who you are:
Beloved,
named by the One
who has traveled this path
before you.
Do not go
without letting it echo
in your ears,
and if you find
it is hard
to let it into your heart,
do not despair.
That is what
this journey is for.
I cannot promise
this blessing will free you
from danger,
from fear,
from hunger,
or thirst,
from the scorching
of sun
or the fall
of the night.
But I can tell you
that on this path
there will be rest.
I can tell you
that you will know
the strange graces
that come to our aid
only on a road
such as this,
that fly to meet us
bearing comfort
and strength,
that come alongside us
for no other cause
than to lean themselves
toward our ear
and with their
curious insistence
whisper our name:
Beloved.
Beloved.
Beloved.
Beloved, I wish you farewell. Adios. May God be with you until we meet again.
The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord be kind and gracious to you.
The Lord look upon you with favor and give you peace.
Shalom,
Pastor Donna