Saying Goodbye to Jayme

The moderators are convening Zoom gatherings with Jayme to give people a chance to say goodbye on Sunday, Feb. 6th at 10am and Tuesday, Feb. 15th at 6:30pm.  All are welcome to join! Please see below for Zoom details...

Tuesday, Feb. 15th

Topic: Time for Saying Goodbyes

Time: Feb 15, 2022 06:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86791469536?pwd=ajNSQW92bTlTU1JRanBzSmRiMnFXZz09

Meeting ID: 867 9146 9536

Passcode: 889277

One tap mobile

+14702509358,,86791469536#,,,,*889277# US (Atlanta)

+14703812552,,86791469536#,,,,*889277# US (Atlanta)

For details about Jayme's departure, and the guidelines that will follow, we invite you to read the below note from Pastor Jayme...

First Parish Members & Friends, The time is fast approaching when we will say good-bye to each other, and I will take leave of this community and my role as your associate pastor. Since I shared the news of my resignation, I have been touched by your graciousness. From the depths of my heart, I thank you for that. We are saying goodbye in many of the same ways that we first greeted one another – virtual meeting rooms, phone calls, and socially distanced meetings with masks. Though difficult, these moments shared are sacred and important. On Sunday, February 13th we will share in our last worship service together, and the service will include the UCC Liturgy of Farewell. As part of that liturgy, you will release me from the duties of being your associate pastor and I will release you from turning to me and depending on me as pastor. We will also bless each other in our separate futures. After Thursday, February 17th, I will no longer be your associate pastor. With that change comes concrete changes in our relationship, including boundaries recommended by the United Church of Christ. Pastorally, I will no longer be available to the First Parish community for weddings, baptisms, funerals, church programs, or pastoral care. I will not attend worship or church events, nor will I discuss church business. For these things, I ask that you turn to Kate, First Parish staff, and First Parish lay leadership. In the digital age, it is also important that our online interactions come to an end. I will be unfollowing all First Parish members and related friends on social media as of Thursday, February 17th. If you feel drawn to text or to call me, please refrain and offer a prayer for me instead. While our relationships and communications as pastor and parishioner will end, trust that my prayers are with the First Parish community as you move into the next season of life together. Some of these boundaries may feel harsh and lacking compassion, but they are put into place with deep care and concern for all involved. These guidelines are designed to protect the health of the church and the well-being of individuals (both laity and clergy) and so out of my love and care of you, I will faithfully follow them. Thank you for your understanding and respect of these boundaries as our relationship shifts. Transitions are difficult, but the God who called us together journeys with us now and into the not yet. May we trust in that abiding presence and unconditional love of God. Peace,

Jayme Babczak