As I wind down my time with you – here’s a few odds and ends of interest (or not 
).
Since beginning my ministry at St. David’s I have racked up approximately 50,498 miles driving round trip from Rockford to Lansing in 19 months. This does not include local travel for visitations and meetings. I have spent roughly 843 hours in travel time. That means I spent an entire month+ in the car traveling. This is somewhat difficult to comprehend!
I will continue to work within the Diocese as an Intentional Interim Priest. My next call will be announced next month, and I will be sure to provide the information to Edie so that you will know where the Holy Spirit is sending me.
I will be celebrating my 40th Anniversary of Ordination on Sunday, June 11, 2023 at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 1025 3 Mile Rd, Grand Rapids. A time of fellowship will follow the service. Since St. David’s shares a part of my ministry, I invite you to join and celebrate with me. Worship is at 9:30am.
Here is a list of communities where I have been called in that 40 years’ time:
- 1983 – 1989 Bethany Lutheran Church, Sheffield, PA & Moriah Lutheran Church, Ludlow, PA
- 1989 – 2000 Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Little Falls, NY
- 1996 – 2000 United Lutheran Presbyterian Parish, Dolgeville, NY
- 1998 – 2000 Evangelic Lutheran Church, Crum Creek, NY
- 2000 – 2006 Lutheran Care Ministries, Clinton, NY – Spiritual Care Director/Chaplin
- 2004 – 2006 Ascension Lutheran Church, Rome, NY
- 2006 – 2015 First Lutheran Church, Warren, PA
- 2012 – 2015 St. John’s Lutheran Church, Warren, PA
- 2012 – 2015 Bethany Lutheran Church, Sheffield, PA (2nd time!)
- 2015 – 2021 St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, Grand Rapids, MI
- 2018 – 2019 St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Grand Rapids, MI – PT Interim
- 2021 – 2023 St. David’s Episcopal Church, Lansing, MI – Interim
- That’s a total of 12 parishes and 1 Long Term Care Facility.
I have been asked why I am stepping down at the end of May instead of staying on till your next priest begins. Two reasons: 1) Vestry made the determination that it was financially in the church’s best interest for me to conclude my time at the end of May and 2) Canon James before he left had indicated that it is common to allow a short gap of time between the interim and the newly called priest.
It is my intention following my next call as an Interim Priest that I will retire sometime in 2024/early 2025. Though I don’t imagine that I will be completely removed from serving as a priest or pastor. I will most likely provide supply preaching or perhaps a part time interim position within the diocese or synod.
During my remaining two weeks with you, I find this to be an exciting time as I look forward to what God has in store for St. David’s and for me. It is also bittersweet as I say goodbye to all of you and must leave this amazing family at St. David’s.
Blessed Easter Season to you all!
In His love,
Father Dave+