As the end of my ministry in Concord draws near and I get ready to say goodbye, I am filled with both gratitude and grief. I knew, when I joined the staff, that in many ways it meant I would lose my home congregation. The relationship between a minister and congregants can be very friendly and close, but it is different from friendship. A minister tends to individuals but also to the health of the whole congregation, and as I take my leave, I will conduct myself in keeping with my professional code of conduct, which requires me to put the health of the congregation and its relationship with subsequent staff first.

I will, for a time, withdraw from participation in church even when I am in town. I will of course be happy to see any of you if our paths cross at Market Basket or a concert, and we don’t need to avoid each other, but I will avoid asking about or discussing church matters with you.

This period of separation will help both the congregation and me live fully into creating our new futures. Then Michael and I can develop a covenant, outlined in a Letter of Agreement, defining the nature and limits of my participation in the congregation at that point. I would create a new covenant with any subsequent minister in the future if I am still participating in the congregation when Michael’s ministry in Concord is complete. This is part of our professional agreement with our colleagues.

I want to be very clear about two things. First, after June 30, my service to the congregation will come to an end. Second, I am leaving with love, and the hope that the congregation will continue to thrive as you experiment with new ways of living out the mission of the church.