Dear Friends in Christ: 

    What a joy it was to be able to worship with you on the weekend before Tom’s retirement! My family and I are very excited about our opportunity to be with you in ministry and in friendship.

     I have loved repeating Tom’s story describing the role of the pastor – sheep dog. That makes it clear doesn’t it? We clergy are called to guide, care for, and serve God’s people. But the Shepherd is Jesus and we can only be good sheep dogs if we remember that.

     In 1994, the time had come for me to leave the first parish I had served. I was assistant to a rector who was retiring and I had been called to be the rector of a nearby parish. Some folks were angry and upset that I was leaving. (I suppose that is better that having them rejoice and celebrate.)

     When I was assigned my final preaching Sunday in the rotation, I eagerly went searching the lectionary for an inspiring passage. I wanted to leave the congregation encouraged and uplifted. Here is what I read:

     Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand, who is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away – and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. The hired hand runs away because a hired hand does not care for the sheep.” (John 10:11-13)

     Oh, mercy! I started worrying that I might be running away and not caring enough. What was I to say to God’s people? This questioning went on for the better part of a week. Finally, on Thursday, I was pacing in my office fretting and trying to figure out what to preach. As I thought, I heard a voice in my head say “Read it again”. I did. Then the voice said, “Who is the good shepherd?”.

     None of us is the Good Shepherd. We are servants called for a time to love each other as Christ loved us and to encourage each other and build each other up.

    I am so excited that God has called me to be your pastor and priest. I am excited about you, the community you’ve become and the ministries you have built. I am excited to discover where, in time, God will lead us.

     At this writing, we are still in Florida. I just said an emotional goodbye to a parish I love and admire. Very soon I’ll have the privilege of being your priest. It is an honor and responsibility which has always awed me. I do think I’m a much better sheep dog since I figured out who is the Good Shepherd.

Your brother in Christ,

—Wilson +