Hello, Goodbye
You say goodbye,
I say hello.
Hello, hello.
I don’t know why you say goodbye,
I say hello.
The Beatles have a way of saying so much in few words, don’t they? I
remember the first time I had to say, “goodbye,” to a congregation, and I
came across a hilarious video of this classic song. Ringo, Paul, George, and
John were wearing neon-colored, matching suits, as they sang and played.
It was joyful, and there was deep meaning in what they sang. In every
goodbye there is a hello, and vice versa.
As I embark on spiritual renewal leave next week, you will welcome Rev. Dr.
Giles Lindley as your interim pastor. We will say goodbye to each other, but
you will say hello to what is next in your future as First UMC in West Point.
There will be another goodbye & hello later in June for you when the next
pastor is appointed. Through each of these changes, it is important to
maintain joy, hope and anticipation!
I am grateful for these past eight years with you as your spiritual leader. We
have been through flood, fire, and a lot of sunshine together. As a people of
resurrection, we remember that Jesus’ goodbye on the cross would soon
become an eternal hello of resurrection. So it is for us in the body of Christ
still today. Let us move forward as a resurrection people, and may our prayer
continually be, “Bless the Lord, o my soul, and all that is within me, bless His
holy name. Bless the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits.” (Psalm
103:1-2).
I am looking forward to saying ‘hello’ with you to the risen Christ on Sunday
—the day of resurrection! Thank you for the honor of serving as you pastor.
all good things to each of you,
dr. darian tennyson