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A Farewell Cake for Pastor Beverly
Goodbye
Even though you may So don’t be disheartened May you be blessed Goodbye for the moment --By Manuel Castro |
Photo above, on the warmest Sunday of the year when church attendance might tend to dwindle, we had our largest gathering of the year because it was time to say goodbye to Pastor Beverly, after 11 years of service. Pastor-Parish Relations Chair Pete Pellegrino and Lay Leader Paula Martasian lead the Litany of Release and Blessing with Pastor Beverly. No Waldo, so find Beverly -- Photo below, congregation gathers outside the church after Beverly's final sermon for a farewell photograph with the pastor who has led our church for the past 11 years. (photos by Larry Price)
OUR CHURCH FAMILY
Published June 7, 2008 I know for many years to come Pastor Beverly will be in our thoughts and prayers. For me, it will usually be on a Saturday night for that is the time each week she would email her Sunday sermon so I could publish it on the website. I have been blessed to be perhaps the first to read her sermon each week, to study her message, and select a few sentences to highlight on the home page. I have done this for seven years, the life of our website, but only part of her 11 years at our church. Our sermon archive is rich with her words and messages of faith. And, sadly, tonight was her final Saturday deadline at North Kingstown. The first sermon we published from Beverly was for the worship service of Sunday September 9, 2001—two days before 9/11. She wrote, “When you make the decision to really follow Christ, you will be changed, transformed, just as a lump of clay is transformed into a beautiful piece of art or a functional utensil. Are you willing to pay full price? Are you willing to enjoy the benefits of following Christ, as well as to put God first and be truly open to the roads you are called to travel?” God now calls her to travel a new road and we will miss her. Her sermons will remain a part of our history, but in the coming weeks, Beverly’s familiar photo next to the sermon link on our home page will disappear and be replaced by another. Her pastor’s greeting will fade and also be replaced by another, but her history, her legacy at this church, the stories of her leadership in this congregation will forever be part of the archive of this website and the DNA of this church. --Larry Price, editor |
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PHOTOS FROM PASTOR BEVERLY'S FAREWELL WORSHIP AND FELLOWSHIP, SUNDAY JUNE 8, 2008 |
The
Last Saturday Deadline
Beverly presents Bibles to the graduating Third Graders
Pastor Beverly walks among the congregation with newly baptized Kiley Jean Wright and Caleb David Bailey
Beverly's farewell sermon before a packed sanctuary -- link to sermon
Pete Pellegrino presents Beverly with a GPS so she may never get lost again
Helene Jannarelli presents Beverly with a beautiful handmade quilt that includes photos of church events.
Retired pastor Dick Garland shares a story about Pastor Beverly's ability to "get lost." He brought laughter by saying he could tell stories on her because she will not be his district superintendent. Beverly will become superintendent of the Mid-Maine District.
Pastor Beverly received a memory book, lovingly prepared by the church administrative assistant Cindi Lovejoy. The book included personal messages from congregation members, church photos, and photos of some Beverly's favorite spots in Rhode Island. The church also gave her a framed print drawing of the church with signatures and messages written by members.
Farewell, Beverly. Go with God's love and ours