For those of you who do not follow my Facebook page, or my wife Jennifer’s page, I wanted to update you on a big change for us.
Effective the end of June I will be retiring from full time ministry. My health continues to be a concern and I need to step back and dedicate my time and energy into becoming the best self I can be, especially in the area of health. My illness will be with me forever but there are things I can do to keep the worst at bay and to live a full life. This will require more time and energy than I can give as a full time Rector, and only clergy person, at a growing and thriving Parish. I will have finished ten years as Rector of St. Simon’s when I step away, and we have done great ministry together. This Parish has already proven they can step up to the plate in my absence, as they did last year when I was so sick and missed over three months. They are ready for their next Priest and ready to be the people God has called them to be, of that I am certain.
I will continue to work some. I will be part time Associate Rector at Christ Church in Pensacola. I was their Interim Rector before I came to St. Simon’s, and I am hopeful to be able to help out as needed on a part time basis, to continue to offer sacramental ministry, to preach and teach on occasion, and to help with pastoral care. This seemed to us an answer to prayer and a great fit for this next stage in my life.
I am hopeful to have much more time to write. To that end I may be moving this blog to another platform, please stay tuned and I will let you know when and how that will work soon.
God bless. Please pray for Jennifer and me in this transition time and for the good folks of St. Simon’s on the Sound.
This sounds like a perfect next step for you and Jennifer at this time. Your congregation at St Simon’s will miss you terribly, just as we did at St Paul’s, but Christ Church will be grateful to have you back. Blessings to you both through this transition time. Always, Sandy Warren
For everything there is a season. It is a good thing to focus on your family and your health. Those special grandchildren are ready to have more time with PapaD. You have been a good and faithful servant to St. Simon’s and I am sure they will miss you both as we did at St. Paul’s. You are a wonderful priest and faithful minister to your congregation. Christ Church will be lucky to have you return in any capacity!
Best wishes in this new chapter, may the adventures be fun and exciting!
Much love,
Mary and Chris
David, I am sure you will be missed! Enjoy retirement and enjoy spending even more time with you family, especially those adorable grandchild. You remain one of favorite priests and I pray all the best for you and your family.
May God bless this transition time for you, Jennifer, your beautiful family and all the people at Saint Simons. The work that you have done there over the past 10 years has been filled with the Holy Spirit. The years go by fast and this is your time to take care of yourself. You remain always in my prayers and the hearts of the people of St. Paul’s Delray Beach.
You so deserve this time to take care of your health, to enjoy Jennifer and your beautiful children and grandchildren (and the puppy, of course). St. Simon’s was blessed to have you as I am sure of which they are profoundly aware. Just as we felt your’s and Jennifer’s loss at St. Paul’s, so will they. So to Christ Church you will return and remind them many times over of the reason we are all bound tightly together. Yay, Jesus! God bless you with happiness and health in this next chapter. With affection, Sherry Fleming