Linda's Goodbye Letter
June 22, 2023
Pastor Linda's Goodbye Letter - King Avenue Has Something SPECIAL
Beloved,
As I am preparing for my last Sunday as your senior pastor and preparing that last sermon, I want to leave you with some words from the congregation. On Sunday, June 18, I asked the congregation two questions:
You have lots of choices for a Sunday morning so...
- Why did you choose church this morning?
- Why King Avenue?
Why did you choose to come to church this morning?
It was the best way to cap off Pride weekend.
To continue to learn to love better.
To feel connect to God and community.
It is our custom and we don’t feel good if we don’t go.
To sing praises to God.
To start the week in a positive way.
To experience the joy of worship.
To ground myself in peace.
To receive my weekly blessing.
To pray in community.
To immerse myself in hope.
Church is the place I want to be.
Why King Avenue?
It is inclusive of everyone.
I can safely bring my whole self to worship and community (multiple times)
I feel included/accepted (multiple times)
It is home (multiple times)
The banner outside says it all.
Love is felt here.
I was born into this congregation which is an important part of our family history.
Chris McManus, Andrew Willis, and the choir.
My King Avenue family has never abandoned me.
I live in the neighborhood.
I feel the presence of God and the fullness of life here.
From one of our young people – Everything I need is here!
From one of our folks watching at home – I can’t imagine being any place else! Even though my presence is not at the church this morning due to health issues, my spirit is there always and will continue to be even once my earthly journey has come to an end.
King Avenue has something special, more special than you realize. Please don’t let anything change that and please, please, please, go out and share the good news so others can have the same experience of God and community.
Love,
Linda and John
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