Rector Transition Announcement - The Rev. Brenda Sol

The following is a transcript of Mother Brenda’s announcement on Sunday, November 9th, regarding her tenure at St. Andrew’s:

I have one more announcement, and I’d like Tom Sweet, our Senior Warden, to come up and help me with this one. Last week, we celebrated 60 years on Balour, and I have joined with you in the ministries of St. Andrew’s for the last 11-1/2 years. I can easily say that this time has been absolutely life-giving and rewarding! I’m so proud of the ways we do ministry together.

During my tenure, you’ve all witnessed me moving through some significant changes in my personal life. One has been figuring out how to best support my aging father, since my mother’s been gone for several years. Another has been supporting my nieces after my sister-in-law’s death a few years ago.

So, something I didn’t share with you during the post-sabbatical parties is that during my time away, God put on my heart that it’s time for me to prioritize family. My discernment was informed by visiting my dad in May, when it became clear to me I need to move someplace where I can afford more housing, so that he can either live with me or live nearby. And because I’ve deepened my relationship with my nieces, I want to live where I can see them more often.

All that to say, when I saw a position open up in St. Louis, Missouri—just 3-1/2 hours from my niece in Kansas City—we all agreed I should put my name in. So it is both with great excitement and deep sadness that I tell you I’ve accepted a call to serve as the new rector of Holy Communion Church in a suburb of St. Louis called University City.

I want to assure you that the diocesan office is already preparing to support St. Andrew’s during this time of transition. They will help you line up an interim rector, who will likely serve for about a year. The bishop’s team will also guide you in forming a search committee and be with you every step of the way as you call your next rector.

But all of that is a few months away. I won’t be leaving until Feb. 1st, so we’ll have lots of time for more conversation, lots of time to continue all of the vital ministries here at St. Andrew’s together, and lots of time to say goodbye. I want you to hear me when I say, there is absolutely no reason for me to leave here, besides feeling it’s time to prioritize my family. I believe we have a great deal of love and respect for each other, and for that, I will always be grateful.

I also want to remind you that while we have done great work together, a rector doesn’t make you a church. You all are the church. You are St. Andrew’s. Still, I am aware that most of us would prefer not to go through more change. So, I want you to know—especially all of you kids—that it is okay to have feelings about this transition. Whether you’re only 5 years old, or 85, it’s okay to be sad, scared…even mad. But don’t hold your feelings in. Kids, talk to your parents; adults, talk to your friends; and whoever wants to, come talk to me.

Next Sunday, a couple dozen lay leaders and several other involved volunteers will learn more about the health and vitality of this congregation as we hear the results of the CAT survey we recently completed. I’m sure those scores will be high, because you all are engaged, vibrant, and Christ-centered in your worship and your service. Those survey results will help inform the congregation’s next steps. Meanwhile, the strong lay leadership, fantastic staff, and other great clergy here will be a terrific support to the interim rector.

There’s never a good time to leave, but I’m leaving at a time when there’s no conflict. St. Andrew’s is financially stable. We’ve worked hard to have clear policies and be as transparent as possible. And, I can assure you, you will not find any unpleasant surprises after I’m gone. Most importantly, whether I’m here or not, God is at the center of all that you do. So, let’s prepare now to celebrate the Eucharist, to come to this table of bounty, to offer our gratitude, and to be nurtured by God’s promise of love and companionship. To ready us, let us pray.

“O God, we praise you for the redemption of the world through the death and resurrection of Jesus the Christ. We thank you for pouring out your Spirit upon us, making some apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers to equip your people for the building up of the Body of Christ. May we be ever mindful that we, together—with our combined gifts—are the Church. Bless us during this time of transition, that as we serve each other and the community around us, your name might be glorified, now and for ever. Amen.”

—Adapted from The Book of Occasional Services