Not too long ago, I found myself reflecting on the first time I set foot in Gobin Church. It was late March of 2014. Maureen and I were brought into Room #1 (in Wesley Hall) for our “take in” with the Staff-Parish Team. Pastors and Staff Parish groups around the connection can tell stories about memorable “take-ins”. They are intended to be fairly routine introductions between a new pastor and congregational representatives. Everyone hopes for a positive experience. But everyone is also on the lookout for any “red flags” – reasons that, despite the bishop’s best discernment, “this just ain’t gonna work”. I can still close my eyes and visualize that evening at Gobin. I think I can even remember everyone around the table. There was Alisa, Lisa, Charles, Sally, Anne, Teddy, Dick, Jeff, Jane, Pat, Brian, and Superintendent John Groves, of course. I recall being excited about the overall conversation, and about the ways these representatives shared the good news of Gobin Church. I also remember feeling as if we were all spinning a bit. Before the eventual move to Greencastle, my family would spend three months in England, while Maureen would begin her PhD program at King’s College, London. Superintendent John Groves shared this news with the Staff Parish group, with the caveat that this would only be the first half of a six month residency requirement for Maureen’s program. The remaining three months of UK residency would happen in 2-3 years.
It’s difficult to believe, but that meeting was now three years ago. And, just as planned, the Langdocs are making preparations for a return trip to England in May of this year. Our family intends to finish out Maureen’s residency requirement together in Cambridge. I am excited for Maureen and the progress she’s made in her program. I’m excited for the children, who will get to experience life overseas once again. I’m excited that this time around, Will will have lasting memories of the experience. I’m excited for myself, and for another opportunity to walk in the footsteps of John Wesley and the early Methodists. I’m excited for an opportunity to take a step back, to dream and vision for the future of Gobin. And I’m excited for you, Gobin Church, and all that this trip means for you. Let me explain what I mean.
Gobin Church is not taking a break in my absence. God’s Spirit doesn’t leave with me, thank goodness!!! We are blessed with such incredible leadership here at Gobin that we don’t need to rely on the West District to supply pastoral leadership in my absence. With the full blessing of Bishop Trimble and Superintendent John Groves, Gobin will continue to move forward in ministry through the gifts and graces our other clergy and lay servant leadership. We’ve been working on an action plan for months, and the pieces are coming together. My strong belief is that, in this season of renewal, Gobin will experience an emergence of new leadership and faithfulness. And I look forward to returning in July and picking up not where we left off, but where you’ve all taken us, further into our mission and vision as Christ’s hands and feet in this community.
