At any time I could change, any day,
a beautiful change.
(The Innocence Mission, "A Beautiful Change")
A beautiful yet bittersweet change is afoot. And I can pinpoint it more specifically than the "any day" the song notes. June. Sometime in June.
After nearly eight years in Southern California, these Midwesterners are heading back home again. Well, sort of. A new home, a new state, a new city, a new church, but one that is situated a stone's throw from one of the Great Lakes. About six hours from Northeast Ohio.
Chicago. Or rather, the western suburbs of Chicago.
(Poor Juliette says "Who are you calling a Midwesterner?" She is 100% Californian.)
On Sunday I shared the news with my beloved congregation. It was heartbreaking. I love them, and will miss them terribly, and the feeling seems to be mutual. Serving here has been a profoundly grace-filled gift.
I cried, probably too much.
(I told that to Lisa and she wrote back, "I think I cried when I quit my first job at Famous Footwear and I never baptized anyone there.")
In the letter to the congregation, I wrote, "You welcomed Juliette into this world with such love and fanfare that it still seems that she moves through the world wrapped in blessings." They welcomed me into the ministry with the same caliber of love and fanfare.
They are great at love and fanfare.
So it's bittersweet. We are undeniably very excited about this move. The position leaped off the pages of the Christian Century classifieds, catching my attention before I'd intended to start the Search and Call process. I'm still amazed that I received the call. I'll be an associate minister.
Wrapped in blessings.
Although I know there is pain in this for some, as a Chicagoan, I am overjoyed.
ReplyDeletewhich Western suburb will be your new home?
ReplyDeletecongrats! it is so strange, and painful, and beautiful that hellos and goodbyes must opperate in tandem. i'll be thinking of you during this transition for you, your family, and your church.
ReplyDeleteYay!!! Congratulations to you!!! Coming from another-mid western...hee hee
ReplyDeleteWhen you get back here, and people ask you why you left SoCal -- just tell them you did it for the weather! It always gets a laugh from them when I say I moved to Michigan from Santa Barbara!
ReplyDeleteThey say the only thing you can count on is change.... I don't know who they are, but they seem to be correct. Good luck as you begin this transition.
ReplyDeleteThis may seem random, but if you'd like to meet another young, female associate minister (UCC) who lives in the Western Suburbs, I would love to meet and welcome you to the area. Feel free to email me: jeannesantucciatyahoodotcom
ReplyDeleteDespite how hard the transition is, you'll look back and know your life is so much fuller for all the different pieces—South Bay, Chicago, etc.
ReplyDeletePlease choose a cross-street to live near that doesn't sound like a medical condition : )
Oh that's very exciting for you, Katherine! I'm sure the new congregation will welcome you just as warmly :) Juliette will know she's well loved wherever she goes with such amazing parents as you and Ben! I'll look for you as we pass one another on the highway!
ReplyDeleteI am so there! We just moved into a new parsonage on Tuesday. I love you and will be praying for you! It will be such a blessing to be a decent drive from your parents. Good luck! If I can offer you any help please don't hesitate to call.
ReplyDeleteThat Juliette will be loved everywhere you go. I can't wait for you to meet her new sudo-grandparents. I can't wait to meet my boys new sudo-grandparents. Kids have a way of loving just like their parents. You are in luck!!! :ยบ) Happy prayers and happy thoughts heading your way!
Congratulations, and welcome back to the midwest! I wouldn't be surprised if there were more tears between now and June.
ReplyDeleteI am part of your new flock and we are so excited to have you! I was just reading Gatherings (the church newsletter online) and saw you were on Fidelia’s Sisters, and so linked to your blog from there. My parents live 6 hours east on I-80 (sister went to Kent) and go that way often if you ever want to carpool. Can't wait to meet you in person and am sending prayers to your old congregation and your family as well for a smooth transition.
ReplyDelete:)Heidi
Wow! I know your friends and congregation in SoCal will miss you, but I know it will also be great to be back closer to family. Your family is in our well traveled hearts.
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ReplyDeleteI'll "miss" you even though I've not managed to get out to see you in the 2+ years we've been BACK from Chicago. Which suburb? We'll send our friends from back there to stalk your sermons :)
ReplyDeleteGood luck! Julie tells me you'll have more time for writing, which is WONDERFUL!
-Susan