A Message from Mother Jenny 8.23.24

Saying “thank you” is the easy part.  Returning to Grace to serve as your Priest Locum Tenens was an opportunity I had never expected and has been a gift.  Re-establishing pastoral relationships with many of you and making new ones has been a blessing.  I am thankful for the clergy and staff who work faithfully and tirelessly to serve this parish and community. 

Bill Malone and Mary Hix have been Senior Wardens extraordinaire. To lead with your Vestry during this time of transition and support them as they navigated challenges has been an honor.  

To be in sacred conversations with you, to worship with you, to chat at Coffee Hour, to share one-on-one, to laugh, to cry, to pray, to bless has been a privilege for which I am very grateful.

Saying “good-bye” is the hard part.  And yet it is time.  You are ready to turn this page of doing some really hard work of healing and speaking the truth in love. You are ready to move forward with Mother Abbott, as Bridge Rector, followed soon thereafter by the fortunate priest who will follow her. 

Grace Church is a wonderful parish and I will miss you!  Until Mother Abbott begins September 3, Mary Hix, as Senior Warden, will be acting as Rector.  And abiding by the Diocesan Policy for Resigning Clergy, my pastoral relationship with you concludes this Sunday.  While I won’t be staying in touch or reaching out, rest assured, I will be praying for you!

With much love, care, and gratitude, Mother Jenny