I'm sorting things out as we get ready to move, and came across this little liturgy from another farewell - when I left Cockermouth in 2003 to become an archdeacon. It struck me then that we make a great fuss when a new minister is put in, with the bishop there and a special service - but much less when the minister leaves. And that's a shame because there are often some very mixed feelings around a real need for both thanksgiving and handing on. So here's what we did back in the Stone Age: A liturgy for the ending of a ministry After the Post-Communion Prayer: The minister who is leaving moves to chancel step where he/she is joined by ministerial colleagues, churchwardens [and congregational representatives] On a small table nearby: a chalice & paten*; a Bible; church keys [and gifts for the congregation**] Minister Handing chalice and paten to ordained colleague X, on behalf of the clergy of this parish/these parishes, receive this chalice and paten as a sign of the ministry of the sacrament which we have shared and which I now leave with you. Handing Bible to lay colleague X, on behalf of the ministry team of this parish/these parishes, receive this Bible as a sign of the ministry of the word which we have shared and which I now leave with you. Handing keys to churchwardens X and X, on behalf of the churchwardens and people of this parish/these parishes, receive these keys as a sign of the responsibility which we have shared and which I now leave with you. [Handing gifts for congregation to their representatives X and X, on behalf of the congregations of this parish/these parishes, receive these gifts to distribute to God’s people, as a sign of the new life in Christ that we have shared together and which we will now live out in our new situations, still one in Him. The minister kneels at the chancel step and a colleague leads prayer for her/him – e.g. Colleague Heavenly Father, we give you thanks for the fellowship and ministry which we have shared with X during her/his time as Y in our parish/es. We now release her/him for her/his new ministry as Z, and ask that you will bless her/him and bless her/him richly, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. The minister then stands and turns and says the prayer of blessing on the people and the service then continues with the final hymn and dismissal. * Bread and wine could also be used. ** The gifts given at the first use of this liturgy were seed peas (variety ‘Forward’!) which the members of the congregation were asked to sow and harvest as a sign of their continuing growth under God after the minister had left. David Thomson | September 30, 2018 at 9:11 pm | Categories: Uncategorized | URL: https://wp.me/poSLL-3DT |