My Residency Experience

By Fr. Brian+

It’s been a few weeks of ‘lasts’. Sunday is my last Sunday. That makes this article my last article. Sunday afternoon I’m moving to Port St. Lucie.

I’ve been asked to say a few words about my residency experience. Here are a few words that describe it:

• Confirming

• Affirming

• Unexpected

• Gift

My experience was confirming in that I continue to sense God’s call to the priesthood.

My experience was affirming in that my personhood, my ministry experience, my understanding of who God is and his work in my life are consistent with what God has done in the past.

My experience was unexpected in that I thought I would come to Grace and receive mentoring from fellow priests and have a nice experience with the congregation. What I didn’t anticipate is that the whole church would embrace Dona and I in the context of the residency. The whole church would participate in my mentoring. The whole church would fill out my experience in a meaningful and beautiful way.

My experience was a gift. I couldn’t have had the experience I had without special people who made it happen financially and administratively. Being able to leave my former job, receive a salary and benefits, and figure out what it looks like for me to be an Episcopal priest was a gift for which I am super, super, super grateful.

I hope you’ll be able to come to my send-off happening after this Sunday’s 10 AM service (August 17). Father Frans, who has been an excellent mentor to me, will interview me about my experience. You’ll get more details about my experience then, and probably a few wisecracks too.

Thank you for everything, Grace Church. I have two requests as I leave.

First, please welcome and love the next resident. They will need you like Dona and I needed you.

Second, walk with Jesus.

Love,

Brian