Greetings to the people of St. Martin-in-the-Fields!
Gay and I are filled with enthusiasm as we prepare to join you in September. The wardens, vestry, staff, Canon to the Ordinary, Bishop, and others have generously extended the warmth of your hospitality and have described the wonder of the Holy Spirit at work among you. And we know that is just the appetizer course!
St. Martin’s is entering the first stage of transition between the departure of one rector and the calling of another. I will be with you as rector in the interim and as an intentional transition specialist. I look forward to walking with you in intentional ways so that this time may be one of discovery and preparation.
Experience has demonstrated that making the best possible use of the interim period will offer a rare opportunity for you to reexamine the legacy that has been entrusted to you by those who came before, to clarify who you are at this point in history, to strengthen your leaders and raise up new ones, to continue to connect with the diocese and the wider church, and to prepare to commit to a new era of fruitful mission with your new rector. My primary mission will be to guide and encourage you as you do those things.
Your leaders have spoken with one voice in expressing the conviction that the mission and momentum you are experiencing must continue. That conviction is one of the most attractive things drawing us to you. And, what is more important, such momentum and missional focus in your life together is what will draw others who long for a community in which to know and serve Jesus Christ.
I will be in the parish office beginning September 3 and our first weekend in worship with you will be September 7-8. We look forward to rolling up our sleeves and getting to work with you. Let us pray that the Holy Spirit will prepare the way so that this time of transition may be a fruitful period in the ongoing work God has prepared for St. Martin in the Fields.
I’ll see you in Church!
The Very Reverend Ron Pogue
A greeting from the Very Reverend Ron Pogue
