My Dear Swift Family,
Our relationship as pastor and congregation draws to a close at the end of January. Over the past 13 years that I have been your pastor, we have shared many special moments. I cherish them and will always remember this church and your witness to God’s love in this community. About one-third of my active ministry has been with you here in the piney woods. For that, I am appreciative to you, and to God, who brought us together.
My retirement means handing over pastoral responsibilities to someone else. I do not know who that will be, but know God is already working on the future. While I will continue to pray for this wonderful congregation, I cannot and will not be involved in any ongoing pastoral or administrative care for this community. It is important that the interim pastor, and then the installed pastor, have the space they need to develop their own ministry — for you to get to know them and they you.
In the future, when you have need of the pastor’s service, call Pastor Jody Beth, the interim pastor or the new pastor. If someone is getting married, and I’m invited, I’ll rejoice with you … and I’ll offer my help by offering to go to the airport to pick up guests, but someone else will officiate. If someone dies, I will mourn with you, but someone else will plan and lead the service.
To help make this transition easier for all of us, I will worship somewhere else. Currently, my thinking is to worship in a variety of contexts in South Baldwin. I look forward to sitting in the pew after 1500+ Sundays of leading worship. Someday, I will fill in for pastors who are sick or out of town, but my immediate desire is Sabbath rest.
Lisa and I will continue to live in Foley so, I’ll see you around town. When we cross paths, we can share family life and enjoy visiting, but please don’t ask me what I think about what’s going on at the church. While I would appreciate knowing the health concerns within the church family so I can pray for them, I cannot be involved in church business.
What will I do with all my time? I hear from many of you that time is in short supply after retirement. With “free days,” completing the landscaping work required from Hurricane Sally, cycling, and enjoying more time with the grandkids are top priorities. Mixed in there somewhere will be volunteer work.
Now for the most important question. What about Lisa? In consultation with members of the personnel committee, she will remain as Swift’s music director. She will also continue working as a speech-language pathologist for a few more years.
I pray for God’s wisdom and guidance in your search for pastoral leadership, and for God’s blessing as you continue to share His love throughout our community.
Love,
Pastor Keith
