The long goodbye

Or, more accurately, the many goodbyes. The farewell process has been quite protracted for me, as I complete my service with eight congregations. But now the final day has come and my internship is over. I moved everything yesterday and stayed one last night in an almost-empty apartment to lead worship at Gol this morning. Now I depart for St. Paul to begin my final year at Luther Seminary.

Here's what I wrote in my final newsletter column:

“I thank my God every time I remember you, constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you, because of your sharing in the gospel…” (Philippians 1:3-5).

Dear friends in Christ, my year as your intern is winding down. On August 28, I will return to Luther Seminary, preparing to graduate in May 2012. Thank you for the privilege of learning among you this year. It’s been a pleasure to get to know you and to share in your worship, study, service, and fellowship.

Thank you for your faithful commitment to this internship program. Supporting the education of future pastors is a great gift to the wider church. Your witness to God’s power and love will continue to work in me, affecting all the congregations and individuals among whom I serve in the future.

You have helped me expand my role as a student and begin to grow into my identity as a pastor, a process that will continue throughout my ministry. I am deeply grateful for your warm welcome, encouragement, and prayers. I hope you will continue to pray for me, for your pastors, and for the whole church.

You can be certain I will remember you in prayer, with thanksgiving for all the ways you have blessed me, and with joy at God’s faithfulness among you. I rejoice in your presence among my “great cloud of witnesses” (Hebrews 12:1), and thank you once again for a rich and delightful year of learning.

Peace in Christ,
Intern Amanda

These congregations had a life before me and will have a life after me, just as I had a life before and will have one after. It's a strange reality to get used to when I feel such a connection with this place, these congregations, and these people. I'm actually a little surprised at how connected I feel, when I wasn't fully immersed in any one congregation.

But the gospel love that ties us together is remarkably strong, and that connection will continue, as I have discovered with my beloved home church. I'm delighted that they're now a part of my story, and I'm honored to have added my voice to the ongoing story of these congregations and their life in Christ.