One morning last week, I found myself drinking a cup of coffee…watching the sun rise over the Atlantic…listening to the rhythmic splash of the rising tide. I was enjoying the spring break with my children, grandchildren and friends. Sitting in that quiet morning space (that wasn’t quiet for long), the words of old Henry came to mind (Wadsworth Longfellow)…
The tide rises, the tide falls,
The twilight darkens, the curfew calls;
Along the sea-sands damp and brown
The traveller hastens toward the town,
And the tide rises, the tide falls.
Darkness settles on roofs and walls,
But the seas, the sea in darkness calls;
The little waves, with their soft, white hands
Efface the footprints in the sands
And the tide rises, the tide falls.
As March ends, the first of four church staff members will retire—Juli Morrow (Preschool Ministry). In the weeks that follow, Peggy Paul (Administrative Ministry), Rosemary New (Day School Ministry), and Dewanda Martin (Day School Ministry) will follow. Each of these persons has dedicated significant years of service to the work and witness of First Baptist Greenville. I hope you’ll help me honor them. During the month of April, Love Offerings will be received for these friends. You may indicate on your check, on an offering envelope, or online amounts for each person. If a Love Offering donation is given with no specific person indicated, it will be split between the four. Then, on Sunday, May 22, we will honor these servants in our morning worship hour and at an afternoon reception in our Fellowship Hall from 2:00-4:00pm.
Longfellow knew that change was a part of the journey of life. We know it as well. We’ve been blessed to walk the shores of ministry with these friends.
—Jim