I don’t like goodbyes. I guess that’s why I’ve waited until the last possible moment to approach the subject of my retirement on a more personal basis in our Epistle Newsletter. As you read these words, we’ll still have almost a whole month of farewells remaining, with many opportunities to talk together, laugh together, celebrate together, and worship together – all of which help to make the goodbye part of this article just a little bit easier to write. 

    During the month of October, Kellie has graciously relinquished the pulpit exclusively to me. Therefore, I’m planning four sermons at the 10:30 AM Service each week dealing with subjects such as change, departure, faith, and the future. There are many words that need to be said prior to my departure and worship seems to be the best place to do that. 

    Without attempting to paraphrase any of those thoughts right now, let me just say the following: You are a truly remarkable church! Never forget that. If it were not so, I never would have stayed at Rosedale for 20 years, concluding the time of my active career here, with this particular congregation. You are now one of the strongest churches in the Presbytery, the flagship of our denomination in this part of the western suburbs. You have every right to stand tall and be proud of your accomplishments. 

    You have enormous strengths that you’re just now beginning to discover and the core of these strengths is found in your professional Church Staff. Whenever I’ve had the chance, I’ve tried to spotlight the dedication and creativity these fine people bring to this place. They deserve your encouragement each day, every week, throughout the year. Please continue to give them the support they need. 

    I have always been very impressed with the spirit of volunteerism that exists among you. In addition to worshipping on Sunday mornings, practically every active member in the congregation is also involved in one or more spheres of church boards, groups, committees, projects, programs, missions, and ministries. That spirit of service is the lifeblood of any healthy church and especially now, each of you needs to maintain a high level of personal investment in this place. 

    There are very few people who deal well with change. Most of us find it difficult, because change always brings an element of the unknown. During the coming time of transition, we all need to remember that with each change comes an opportunity. And with each opportunity comes yet another opening for God to work in some new and exciting way. We need to learn how to embrace change in a healthy manner by preparing for it, not fearing it.

    For twenty years I’ve had the privilege of serving of Senior Pastor at Rosedale Gardens Presbyterian Church. Throughout those two decades, I have always tried to bring respect and dignity to you through my personal activities as well as my professional actions. It remains for others to determine the degree of my success in doing that, but from the first day in the pulpit, this has always been my goal. I’ve been proud to be associated with this place and hope that perhaps you feel the same way in return. 

    I have called this article, “The End of the Beginning” on purpose. In my photo album at home, I have a picture that was taken on my first official Sunday here – November 5, 1989. The snapshot captures me standing beside the then-existent church sign at the corner of West Chicago and Hubbard, and the sermon title on the sign proclaims “New Beginning” in big, bold, black letters. 

    That sermon title was my way of stating several things. It was a reminder that the past at Rosedale was indeed over and gone forever. It was a bold proclamation that the first day in the rest of your life as a congregation was dawning. And it was symbolic of the new relationship you and I were about to forge together as pastor and parish. 

    And now we come to the end of that particular ”New Beginning.” What lies ahead? No one really knows. Oh, sure, we’re aware of the steps involved with securing interim and permanent pastors, but that isn’t really the question, is it? What lies ahead is change and the elements of the unknown it always brings. But I would remind you, through time immemorial, Christians have always countered change with their faith. 

    It is important to believe - and I mean REALLY believe - that God is heavily invested in the future of your church. It is also equally important to believe that each of YOU is involved in that same future. It is vital to believe that there is yet another “New Beginning” awaiting you out there in the years to come, even as 1989’s “New Beginning” now becomes an “Old Beginning” that has come to an end. 

    It seems to be part of our human experience, that we can best see God’s guiding hand as we look back at events now behind us. Retrospect has a way of clearly showing those times when God has guided us, led us, nudged us, and sometimes pushed us. So, among my parting comments to you is this one: 

    In looking at the time we have been blessed to share together, it is abundantly apparent that God has been true to you through the past two decades. Now you need to be true to God through the next two decades. In so doing, you will continue to honor the work that I have attempted to do during my time among you. 

    God bless you all. I love you all. And I WILL see you in Church!  
Rick Peters  
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