Musings: On Transition & Gratitude
- suc991
- 7 hours ago
- 4 min read
Musings: On Transitions & Gratitude…
Friends, fellow followers in the Way of Jesus, thank you for gathering around the table with me yesterday for my final service as part of the Collaborative Ministry Pilot Project and Sackville United Church.
I was so deeply touched by your presence. It was such a joy to be able to end my time with you celebrating two baptisms, proclaiming the Word, and sharing in communion! And then, to gather with more than a dozen of you in the afternoon to take part in Julia’s ordination service and sing again, A Place At the Table! Wow! Thank you!
Thank you as well for the beautiful gifts. The Robert Lyon print of the marsh and geese in flight (see below) will remind me always of what it was to share in the fragile, yet beautiful flight that is ministry, in community with you all. And I will use the 2026 Robert Lyon calendar to mark the days of the New Year, days that I know will be filled with beauty, challenge, goodness, struggle, love and yes, sadness too, for each of us, trusting that each new day will bring new opportunity to share and experience Love.
Crow Robichaud (Red Roof Sourdough) of Rockport, New Brunswick, as part of the Sunday Gathering, shared her song, Changes (2.0) I think 2.0 because even songs change and evolve based on context and circumstance?!
Change will come
Change will always beÂ
Nothing is free from changeÂ
It’s evolutionaryÂ
The star,
a preacher a man
Who hails from the big sky aboveÂ
Gave us all a reboot in life
Shows us how to loveÂ
A reprieveÂ
A reliefÂ
For now
A rebirth
A rekindling
Somehow
Change is comingÂ
So Change if you can
Love will shine so much Â
brighter no matter the endÂ
The roadÂ
Full of potholesÂ
The rides been bumpy and hardÂ
Keep the hope up
No matter the falters
Can’t control change in our heartÂ
A reprieveÂ
A reliefÂ
For now
A rebirth
A rekindling
Somehow
Oh change will beÂ
ChangeÂ
It’s the only thing freeÂ
Thanks, Crow, for the reminder and encouragement to embrace the change, and keep the hope up! Thanks as well to all who participated in the gathering and for all the lovely, good wishes.Â
It has been a deep privilege and joy to share in ministry with you and among you, and even as I look forward to the new opportunities and challenges my new role will bring, I look forward to continued connection with you in ways that are helpful and supportive to the ministry that is yours to share with a new minister in the future.
With deep gratitude,
Lloyd
PS: Should you wish to view the service you may do so by following this link. Some pictures of the day are posted at the bottom of this message.
One of my gifts to those who gathered today, a photo of this moment with these words: Â
During my time I have come to love this community. I have seen people come and go. I have welcomed newcomers and watched people walk away. Â I have celebrated with couples in the beginning of relationships
and grieved with some in the struggle and occasionally, the endings of the same. I have baptized children and held the hands of those who were dying. Â As you look at this picture, always pay attention to the edges. Notice who is missing. And seek always to include them tool. Hold this, the people of this community, those present,
those on the edges and even those who are not here, in love, always. Never forget that all we really have is the present, the gift of this moment. Make each moment count.
Please note: The photo was taken with the widest lens setting possible on my iPhone and still it did not capture all who were present. I am sorry for that. I know you were present and you are held in my heart!
Looking Ahead
On Monday I have a pastoral visit at 8AM followed by a daylong meeting with the Regional Council Executive, interrupted only by a pastoral visit over lunch. The day will end with a meeting with Ministry and Personnel Committee at 7PM for an Exit Interview.
Tuesday morning will find me in Sackville again where I have two visits and two meetings scheduled before I head to Charlottetown for a meeting that begins at 4PM. At 6PM I will join the Collaborative Commission for their scheduled meeting.
On Wednesday morning Julia and I will meet with the Music Directors and others for some Advent planning, after which I have two more meetings before I drive back to Sackville in time for the 4PM come and go farewell gathering at Ducky’s Pub. Drop by and have a beverage and share a story! It’d be lovely to see you!
Thursday morning will include two pastoral visits, and visits to the hospitals in Moncton and the afternoon will be devoted to crafting a reflection for the 235 Anniversary Service that I will preside at on Sunday November 2nd at Sackville United Church.Â
On Friday I am off to Halifax where, at the request of the Church, where I am facilitating a mediation process, and on Saturday, my first day in the role of Regional Minister for Pastoral Relations and Community of Faith Support, I am off to Campbellton, New Brunswick for an event with NE New Brunswick United Church Cluster.
And, as above, on Sunday November 2nd I will be presiding at the 235th Anniversary Service at Sackville United Church – 235 years of Methodist/United Church presence in the Sackville area. The service will involve much music and many photos and videos and involve communion shared at tables, and a catered meal! Check with Jennie if you’d like to take part and have not already reserved your spot.
