For Everything There Is A Season

The last Sunday in June is a bittersweet one in United Methodism. It is the last Sunday of the appointment year. For some churches and clergy, there is a sigh of relief that pastor and parishioners were reunited for another year. For others, there is consternation that there is no change. For still others, it is a time to say goodbye and put closure on the life and ministry that was shared.

This reflects the cycle of life. Ecclesiastes 3 reminds us:

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:

a time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
a time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to break down, and a time to build up;
a time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
a time to throw away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;

a time to seek, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to throw away;
a time to tear, and a time to sew;
a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
a time to love, and a time to hate;
a time for war, and a time for peace.

Take time to reflect on the ministry you shared together in the past year. Remember when your breath was taken away by the presence of the Holy Spirit. Tell of how you were surprised by the power of God to transform your life, the life of other, and even entire communities. Celebrate the new life that has emerged from your shared ministries.

Don’t be afraid to admit the mistakes and missteps that were made. Confession really is good for the soul. Let go of the disappointments and unmet expectations and offer one another the fullness of grace that is extended through forgiveness.

In the tenderness of the day, remind one another of how each one is made in the image of God, beloved and equipped by God for the task of ministry in the world. Ministry will go on as you all claim this power. Perhaps you can’t even get a hint of it yet, in all the emotions of this time. But trust in the knowledge that God is not done with us yet!