I shall pass through this world but once;
Any good therefore that I can do,
Or any kindness that I can show
to any Fellow creature,
Let me do it now;
Let me not deter or neglect it,
For I shall not pass this
way again.
~ Etienne de Grellet
When I walked through the doors at House of Prayer, I wasn’t
sure how long I would be staying or what God had in store for
you and for me. Looking back, being a part of this community
of faith and doing ministry with you has been one of the most
life-changing, beautiful, and affirming experiences of my life. ✪
You welcomed me with open arms. You encouraged me to be
the person God created me to be. So many times in my life, I
have been pushed or left out. I have truly felt “at home” here.
Thank you for embracing this coffee-loving, always-singing,
sometimes-pink-wig-wearing seminary student / future pastor.✪
I am grateful for getting to know you, for worshiping with you,
for being in community with you. It has been such a joy to
preach and assist with services, to lead and participate in Bible
studies, to visit homebound members and create training for
fellow HOP members to visit these members, to work on and
be a part of new member orientations, to try teaching
Confirmation and leading Vacation Bible School…These
experiences have molded and shaped me in my growth as a
leader. ✪
Special thanks to Pastor Dan, for allowing me to try things in
ministry that I hadn’t experienced before, for encouraging and
challenging me. I have grown so much and feel more prepared
for internship than I would have been a year ago. It has truly
been a joy to learn from and work with you! Just remember:
For every situation, there’s a suitable line from a song
(Anonymous). ✪Thanks for building up the leader that you saw in me. ✪
During this year’s Vacation Bible School, “Kingdom Rock,” the
children learned how God’s love and family and friends help
them to “stand strong.” One of the “memory verses” was 1
Thessalonians 5:11, “Therefore encourage one another and
build up each other, as indeed you are doing” (NRSV). You
have done that for me. I hope and pray I have done that for
you. I pray that you continue to do this for one another, as well
as for those who live outside the walls of HOP.
I’m not a fan of “good-byes.” I have always preferred “until we
meet again.” We will continually experience changes in life, but
friendships are never lost. I call you “friends.” You will all be a
part of me forever. Maybe I am a part of you, too. I thank God
for the time we have been together. I rejoice in and enjoy every
moment, never wishing time away. After all, Every song has
an ending, but is that any reason not to enjoy the music?
(Anonymous) Keep singing, my friends, the song our Lord has
placed in your hearts. ✪
During one of my final classes, the professor encouraged me
with the following quote: Ships are safe in the harbor, but that
is not what they were built for. I trusted God and stepped out of
my comfort zone when I entered HOP, and I am continuing to
trust God and step out of my comfort zone as I make the move
to Rochester for the next year. I pray that you all trust God and
follow wherever it may be that God is calling you…Chances
are, it’s out of your comfort zone.
Only by reaching out can true happiness be found. Once
found, it’s impossible to keep it to oneself. My hope and prayer
for you is that you share the “warm fuzzies,” to both those
inside and outside the walls of the church building, for that is
the way “cold pricklies” are defeated. ✪
Helpfulness to others
Always kind
Patience
Praise for God
Integrity within
Never
envious
Establish friendly relationships
Speak only what is good and pure
Seek to love others more ~
Anonymous
God’s Peace and Blessings, Much Love, Warm
Fuzzies, and Until We Meet Again, Caroline