Hi friends,

Thanks to all of you for a beautiful farewell worship and goodbye party last Sunday. The green runners, the flowers, the food, the gifts...it was all perfect. I'm only sorry that Kit (now finally feeling better!) and Gwendolyn couldn't join as well.

I wanted to write today to remind us all of the ethical guidelines around communication after a pastor's departure. In general, the UCC teaches that pastors observe a 1-year no-contact boundary with their former congregants. This enables a church to go forward and build a new relationship with their next minister.

What this means in practice is: if you email, call, or text me over the coming year, please know that I will not be able to respond (unless we need to be in communication about some particular loose end).

Sometimes, this rule can feel harsh, especially when the former pastor is moving across the country. Here's what I can promise: I will send an update to the Parishscope a few weeks after our move to Massachusetts. We'll make sure ACC is first on our Christmas card mailing list. And once that year passes, I sincerely hope that we can find the appropriate way to remain in each other's lives, as friends.

With profound gratitude,

Rev. Nate