To The Christian Community in the Taconic-Berkshire Region
Dear friends,
I am writing to you today to inform you about changes in the priestly work in your community.
There comes a time in every priestly biography, and in the biography of a congregation that change is warranted. Rev. Liza Marcato has served with joy and enthusiasm since September 2010. We can all be very grateful that she has brought the sacraments and festivals to young and old as well as caring for the whole community. Caring for the many altars and the people who gather around them, the central task of the priesthood, has stood in the forefront of Liza’s work. While recognizing all that has taken place here, the Circle of Seven (central leadership) has determined that her energy and many gifts are needed elsewhere. She and the new community will grow and develop in new ways. As soon as conversations with the new community are finished, I will provide you with more information about the new sending. In preparation for her new task, Liza has requested a sabbatical, which will begin on August 1 and run through the Fall. The leadership expects that she will be entering a new assignment at the end of that time.
We are also very happy that Revs. Emma Heirman and Matthias Giles, both priests and also a married couple, will be taking on the work in the Washington DC/Baltimore congregation. In conjunction with that change, the Circle of Seven has decided to send Rev. Carol Kelly to your congregation. After her children’s camp in Maine and farewells in her current congregation, she will take up the work in September.
A priest from Australia, Rev. Darryl Coonan, has offered to spend time with your community from May 4 through mid-July, helping out where needed. Please prepare to welcome him by providing living space, transportation and an appropriate contribution to his living expenses.
Rev. Franziska Hesse, who has helped out in New Zealand and Spring Valley the last few years, will be entering retirement and moving to Harlemville on May 1. Her support will be provided by the Central Fund. She will make herself available to bridge possible gaps in the summer.
With all these changes in your congregation this year, now is the time to continue or even increase your financial support in order to help your congregation stay strong during a time of transition.
Saying farewell to a priest with whom you have worked for ten years will take time. In reflecting together, individually and in community, you will be able to realize what has been built up in the years of Liza’s ministry. Welcoming a new priest in community affords the opportunity to strengthen what has been built up and venture into new territory together.
With warm greetings,
Rev. Craig Wiggins
Lenker/Regional Coordinator
P.S. Having just heard about the developments in New York State concerning the coronavirus, I want you to know that I hold the area and its people intensely in my prayerful thoughts.