“For everything, there is a season, and a time for every purpose under Heaven.” Those words from the Old Testament book of Ecclesiastes ring loud, clear, and true as October ends, November begins, and I depart as your Senior Pastor. Yes, it is time. And yes, this is the season for such things to finally occur. 

    Saying goodbye is always hard, isn’t it? I think it becomes especially difficult after a marvelous 20-year relationship between us as pastor and parish. Nevertheless, I wanted to write something in the way of a final farewell for this edition of the Epistle as I move off into the next phase of my life – retirement. 

    I was very purposeful a year ago when I announced my plans to leave, because I believe it’s possible to manage this kind of transition in a healthy way by some good, advanced planning. Going all the way back to last fall’s Home Meetings, I believe that together, we have done just that. And now, the Interim Pastor process is underway. The Self-Study Committee has produced their first document draft to the Session. The Transition Planning Committee and the Retirement Planning Committee have both been superb at fulfilling their mandates. And everything that makes this church strong and vibrant continues without missing a single beat. Yes, we have completed this process well together. 

    And having said that, this article now becomes a huge, extended thank-you note to each and every member of Rosedale Gardens, although I must admit, it is very difficult to put into words the deep feelings of thanksgiving that I have in my heart for you, the marvelous people of this congregation. 

    You have outdone yourselves by presenting me with two retirement events, (one at the church and the other at a banquet center), multiple speakers whose kind words will resonate for many weeks, the absolutely astounding gift check that caught me totally by surprise, the pastor emeritus honor you graciously bestowed, and the countless expressions of your personal well-wishes through meals, cards, letters, emails, visits, calls, pictures, poems, hugs, kisses, gifts, CDs, DVDs, and an unending variety of individual mementos. I am simply overwhelmed by the kind of loving generosity you have demonstrated in so many ways. Thank you. 

    People ask me what I’m going to do in retirement. My answer to date has been to say that quite frankly, I’m not sure, because I’ve never done this before! However, just like every other retiree, I have my “list.” It includes much more time with kids, grandkids, family, and friends. There are several long-neglected hobbies and interests that await me. I will appreciate more personal time simply to read. I plan some travel to new places and return visits to special, previously visited locales. I already have mental blueprints for interior remodeling projects and exterior gardening plans at my condominium. I anticipate more time for photography and picture- sorting. There are also a couple nascent ideas that might actually turn into books in the next few years. And I surely want to continue my regular regimen of physically working out and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Suffice to say, I will not have to fill in a lot of empty hours sitting at home watching reruns of “Jon and Kate Plus Eight.” 

    I have no immediate plans to move from my Wixom address, because I like living in that part of Oakland County and have called it “home” for the past 35 years, since I moved to Michigan from Pennsylvania. My older daughter, Jill, being married to a career Marine, will be changing residences with some regularity for the next few years, including a move from Colorado Springs to San Diego in mid-2010. My younger daughter, Kellie, resides with her family in the Fowlerville area and with them being so close at hand, I feel no great motivation to leave southeastern Michigan in the near future.

    Regardless of where I am or what I’m doing, please rest assured that I will carry you all in my head and in my heart. Every pastor, when first arriving at a new church, has what is commonly called “the honeymoon period.” It’s that time when everything is running smoothly, all the elements of church life are moving along as planned, and there is a general level of pleasant agreement between the pulpit and the pews. In most cases, this effect wears off sometime during the first year. In our case, it never left. I think you and I have enjoyed the basics of an ongoing “honeymoon period” that remains to this day, even after two decades.

That reality makes me feel all the more grateful for this church and all the more appreciative of the work we have accomplished here together. Make no mistake! This has been a joint effort and any accolades I might have received along with way are surely to be shared with staff and congregation. 

    And now, after 200+ articles for this wonderful newsletter, I’ll draw everything to a close with some final thoughts. Much has been made of the fact that my very last, official day is Saturday October 31st, which of course happens to be Halloween. Please feel free to make up your own joke! 

    However, the really important day, is the one that immediately follows. It is Sunday November 1st and it is All Saints Day. No, we Protestants don’t spotlight the saints, as do our Catholic friends, because back in New Testament times, the term “saint” actually applied to every believer in Jesus Christ. A “saint” was anyone who was a church member and was thus included as part of the Body of Christ. In other words, if you were a Christian, you were a “saint.” 

    So, after Halloween has passed, on Sunday November 1st all you “saints” of Rosedale Gardens Presbyterian Church will gather once again, as you always do for worship, praise, study, song - and coffee! The Church will go on, the heartbeat of faith will continue, and the rhythm of God’s Spirit will direct your feet along each step as you move into the future. Of this I have no doubt, because you are part of the People of God, called to live in this particular corner of the world, changing forever your brief segment of human history in the name of our Lord. 

    Thank you for 20 years of excellence. Thank you for the power and the influence you have demonstrated beyond yourselves time and time again, through your programs, projects, ministries, and missions. Thank you for the lives you have changed, upheld, supported and enriched. And thank you for making me a better pastor and a better person. 

    And now, may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ…. the love of the Creator God who made all that exists…. and the continuing presence and power of the Holy Spirit…. be with you all…. both now and forevermore…. Amen.

Rick Peters