A Fond Farewell
from Fr. George
The nature of interim
ministry is that the time passes much more quickly than any
expect. It seems like only a few months ago that we arrived at
Trinity and now it is time to leave. As promised, the past
eighteen months have not been a time of simply “waiting” for
your new rector to arrive. With the help of the truly
exceptional staff of Trinity Church and committed lay
leadership, we have spent this time developing a stronger
committee structure, focusing energies on Christian Stewardship,
expanding worship and fellowship opportunities and simply
exploring what it means to be Trinity Church.
During this time before the call
and arrival of your new rector, I have no doubt that the forward
motion of the parish will continue without any loss of momentum.
With Carol Hubbard serving as your Priest-in-Charge and as this
parish supports her, our staff and one another, the growth and
vitality we have experienced will continue.
Susan and I have made some
wonderful friends while here. Our lives have been forever
changed because of our relationship with all of you. Know that
though we may be leaving Trinity and Asheville we will continue
to hold you in our prayers and thoughts.
I have no doubt that you will
welcome your new rector with the warmth and enthusiasm with
which you greeted us. And together you will all, through the
power of the Spirit working through you, continue to make
Trinity that place where God’s presence is experienced and God’s
mission fulfilled.
As a way of saying goodbye, I
would like to leave you with the final blessing that I learned
years ago from a mentor and dear friend:
“Go forth into the world in peace. Be of good courage, hold
fast that which is good. Render to no one evil for evil.
Strengthen the faint hearted, support the weak, help the
afflicted, honor all persons. Love and serve the Lord rejoicing
in the power of the Spirit. And, may the blessing of God
almighty, Father, Son and Holy Spirit be with you now and
always. Amen”
George
|
To the
Parish - from the Senior Wardens
As you may know, Fr.
George Daniels Muir soon will be leaving Trinity to accept a call to
serve as Interim Rector of All Saints Church in Richmond. After
completing his 18-month contract as Interim Rector of Trinity, his
last Sunday with us will be January 8.
After the 10:45 a.m.
service there will be a reception for George and Susan in Tuton
Hall. We hope you will attend to bid the Muirs farewell.
We are grateful for
his service. In many ways it seems as if George and Susan arrived
only a few months ago. His warmth and outgoing nature have endeared
him to parishioners and staff. He also has reached out to visitors
and the broader community to make them feel welcome at Trinity.
George has helped open
our eyes to the significance of our church and its potential as a
landmark in the heart of Asheville. There should be no doubt that
our new Rector will find Trinity to be a vibrant, welcoming, and
expectant parish.
Until that person is
led by God to come to us, The Reverend Carol Hubbard will serve as
Priest-in-Charge, as she did so ably following the illness of Fr.
Bill Whisenhunt. We are indeed fortunate that she knows us and loves
us, has strong leadership abilities, and is willing this second time
to serve us so capably as Priest-in-Charge.
Grateful for these
past 18 months of George’s service, we all join in wishing him and
Susan the very best in their call to Virginia.
Faithfully yours,
Ralph Simpson, Senior
Warden 2011
Mary Bruce Woody, Senior Warden 2012 |
