Dear Glen Mar,

They say that to everything there is a season; a time for everything. There is time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant, to uproot, a time to teach and a time to learn, a time to tear down and a time to build, to laugh, and to cry, to grieve, to scatter and to gather, and everything in between.  In case you didn’t notice, I added a few of my own to the Ecclesiastes list ;).

The point is that there is an appointed time for all things. Yet, as we think of there being a time for everything, time is something we covet. Time is something that we never feel that we have enough of; we are keenly aware of its finitude, yet the beauty of eternity has been placed upon our hearts. And perhaps this duality of time, is the reason we feel the tension of its finitude and eternal. It’s the reason that many of us wish that time would simply stand still. But as the earth quickly rotates so too does time and seasons. So we simply long for more time.

I have been thinking a lot about time as my time at Glen Mar draws closer to its end. As an itinerant pastor, I know that I am only to journey with a congregation for a season, yet it doesn’t make it any easier when it’s time to depart. It has been one of my greatest joys to have been appointed to Glen Mar for such a time as this season. It was a difficult season as we all faced a global pandemic together. To be a part of the seasons of your lives (even this most difficult and atypical season), has brought me so much joy.  I have had the opportunity to laugh, to cry, to grieve, to plant, and be a part all the wonderful things that are being/have been built and constructed at Glen Mar. At the same time, since coming during the pandemic, I was also a part of looking at the things that needed to be pruned and/or re-imagined as we moved to the new normal of post-pandemic life in the church.

Developing strategies to reach goals towards radical hospitality where all are seen, valued, and held with sacred worth as beloved children of God.  This included but was not limited to our welcome teams, communications, website, social media, music ministry, and worship. It has been quite the season that we have journeyed together, and I am profoundly grateful.

As I remember standing on the windy hill where the cross stands – where we recorded the welcome to my family and me and my initial introduction to Glen Mar – it feels like yesterday. I remember recording my very first sermon from the chair in my living room as we looked at having a “Playdate with Jesus”. Yet as it seems like only yesterday, I can hardly recognize the pastor, preacher, and minister from then. I recently read some of my initial writings and sermons and they seem like a different person. It is because you all have poured into me and made me a better pastor, preacher, minister, and friend through this season. I have learned so much and am humbled and grateful for you all. I hope that you have felt my love and care for you in return. And hope we have learned from each other through this season.

Please know that even when I depart on June 9^th, I will carry you in my heart. We will not be in contact with one another for a time as we healthily transition to this new season but will carry with us the joy of the seasons we journeyed together.

A song by Boyz II Men has been echoing in my head, “It’s So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday.”  The lyrics are:

How do I say goodbye to what we had?
The good times that made us laugh
Outweigh the bad
I thought we’d get to see forever
But forever’s gone away,
It’s so hard to say goodbye to yesterday
I don’t know where this road is going to lead
All I know is where we’ve been
And what we’ve been through
And if we get to see tomorrow
I hope it’s worth all the wait
It’s so hard to say goodbye to yesterday
And I’ll take with me the memories
To be my sunshine after the rain
It’s so hard to say goodbye to yesterday.
[Songwriters: Christine Yarian Perren / Frederick Perren]

Even though it is hard to say goodbye to yesterday, I am looking forward to the tomorrows we will share until my departure.

With Love and Gratitude,

Pastor Melaina Trice