This was a day which has been long-awaited. The congregation I previously served has now installed their new pastor. Pr.  Linda Anderson-Little is the pastor at St. Luke’s in Richardson, and they are a blessed place!

It was a bittersweet day for me. While it was mostly a day of pure joy and celebration, there was a part of me that was sorrowful for what I have missed. I listened to the fabulous choir singing a powerful anthem, and realized how much I miss working with Dale, who is a truly gifted church musician. I rejoiced with the children’s choir made up completely of kids from the Oromo (Ethiopian) congregation that also worships at St. Luke’s, and saw how much those kids have grown in a short time. I was blessed by the Old Testament lesson sung beautifully in Hebrew by Rabbi Elana Zelony from Congregation Beth Torah, and missed my interfaith colleagues. I saw so many loved faces in the congregation and my heart was full

But as much as I realized what I have missed, it was really an absolute joy to see Pr. Anderson-Little lead this congregation in worship. They have fully embraced her and have a renewed energy that is much needed. God’s Holy Spirit truly has had a hand in all of this. So as St. Luke’s enters this new season of their life, I give tremendous thanks for the time I spent with them and for the hopeful future ahead of them.

Thanks be to God!