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To My FPC Sisters and Brothers:
Thank you so much for the incredible reception, kind words, and gifts that you gave me on Sunday December 17. I was overwhelmed by the presence of so many of you, the thoughtful momentos, the beautiful painting, the special resolution, the delicious food, the big hugs and kisses, and the amazing generosity you exhibited in the check I was presented in worship. I know that it represented the multitude of gifts and well wishes for me by you, my family in faith. Eddie and I appreciate it more than you will ever know.
I will be with you for one more Sunday, December 31 at 11:00am in the Sanctuary and will offer a few thoughts and thanksgiving in a final sermon to end my ministry with you. I hope to see as many of you as are able and to say goodbye with more hugs and I know there will be tears from me. Eddie and I hope that our paths will cross again with you as the years go by. Our departure from you is bittersweet- we are happy for this new phase of life with freedom but sad to say goodbye to you, my friends.
I want to leave you with some words that have grown to mean a lot to me since I met their author and began corresponding with him after his many appearances at Montreat Youth Conferences back in the 80’s. His music has always spoken to the deep places within me. The poetry of his “Song for You” conveys my feelings in these last days of ministry among you. I hope you find them as meaningful as I do in relationship to all the goodbyes and the leavings we experience in life. With his permission, please consider David’s words as mine, as I take my leave of you.
I’ve got to be going now, but you know I’d rather stay;
Though it is hard to leave you I must be on my way
But before I leave you friends, there’s something I’ve got to say
You mean the world to me, and I’ll never stop loving you
‘Cause what you have given me I can never repay; And if we meet again somehow,
I will love you then as now ‘Cause you mean the world to me
And when life is getting me down, as sometimes it will do;
My heart will come back to these halls and I’ll remember you
I’ll remember the love we shared and the ways that we grew
You mean the world to me, and I’ll never stop loving you
‘Cause what you have given me I can never repay; And if we meet again somehow,
I will love you then as now ‘Cause you mean the world to me
Though I’ve got to go away, I won’t really leave you behind;
Memories of times that we shared together I’ll carry in my mind
Some times were happy and some times were hard
But I’m glad all those memories are mine
You mean the world to me, and I’ll never stop loving you
‘Cause what you have given me I can never repay; And if we meet again somehow,
I will love you then as now ‘Cause you mean the world to me
Blessings, Love and Prayers,
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