March, 2010 "Retirement"
After careful prayer and thought, I have made the decision to retire as Rector of Church of the Holy Comforter. I have officially notified the Bishop and the Wardens of my intention. I am resigning with an effective date sixteen months from March 1, 2010, in order to allow for a smooth transition in the selection of my successor. During the transition process, I will remain the Rector, functioning fully as such. Our succession process will be conducted with the same strategic focus, thoroughness, faithfulness, and careful listening that has always characterized our faith community and our life together. Details of all this will be forthcoming.
I am 65 this July and will be nearly 66 by the time a new rector is selected. I have been a priest for 35 years, all of them at Holy Comforter. I arrived in June, 1975, as Curate and have been here ever since. In November, 1985, I was elected Rector and began my duties on March 1, 1986. This month I complete my 24th year as Rector and begin my 25th.
In my years at the parish, I have striven to give the best I am. That was possible because of the love and presence in my life of beloved Bonnie. She was an extraordinary woman of grace and sacrifice who filled my life with love and acceptance. Since her death, I realize the importance of moving forward myself into a new life. That is best done by retiring. I need rest for my grieving soul.
The parish also needs new leadership to face the challenges ahead. I am proud of what we have accomplished together in my tenure and the lives we have been privileged to touch. Much has happened, but I also know the frontiers ahead are better served by a person with different gifts than mine. I am confident we will find that person. God has blessed this parish with strong lay and clerical leadership throughout our history.
I have been blessed beyond my wildest dream by being your pastor and priest. You have loved and cherished me and my family during our times of great joy and celebration and times of tragedy and deep sorrow. We have loved and cherished you in return. I could not be more grateful for all you are and all you do. It is because I love this community that I know it is time for me to retire. The Gospel continues to call us forward. That call for me is to move on. The call for the parish is for new leadership.
Whatever lies ahead, we have each other, and we know God is with us. You are a very special people. I am honored to be your Rector, priest, pastor, and friend. Someday I will rest here with you, my wife, and the numerous friends I have been privileged to bury. Through it all, I hope we have given the glory to Christ, and we have sought to make our world a better place and our lives a strong witness to what the love of God can do.
Faithfully,
The Reverend Robert K. Myers, Ph.D.
Rector
