Galilee said farewell to Pastor Geitra on Sunday, July 17. She is moving on to be Associate Pastor at Centreville UMC. Here she says one last goodbye.

Thank you, Galilee and Chapel, for a wonderful send off this Sunday! It was great to see so many of you. Our family felt loved because of your words of encouragement.

A special thank you to those who planned and arranged for my reception, especially Galilee staff, the Staff Parish Relations Committee, Ron and Ginger Chinnici, and all the volunteers who donated delicious treats. Though it all seemed to go by too fast, it was good to fellowship one last time. It’s important to keep coming together, whatever the reason—God uses us to strengthen and encourage one another in ways we can’t begin to understand.

And—because it’s always a risk to forgot someone when doing public thank yous–I forgot to thank the Stephen Minister team, who fulfills the important role of providing congregational care. Not only do they check in with those in need and meet with those who could benefit from some Christian care, but they also serve communion in worship once a month, too. They are a great blessing to pastors who serve large congregations, and I’m grateful for their partnership in the ministry of compassion.

This past Monday I packed up my office at Galilee, a bittersweet task. In the midst of my files that included various resources and worship planning materials, I found a large file with a number of cards and letters from the congregation. Pastor Jason taught me early on to save these correspondences because pastoral ministry can be challenging, and sometimes we need to be reminded of our gifts.

And as I took a look through that file, and remembered names and faces and circumstances, I recalled a line from Alfred, Lord Tennyson’s poem Ulysses. He states, “I am a part of all that I have met.” How true that is. Whether I have a written card or some other memento of a moment or meeting, it has become a part of me. That gave me a measure of comfort as I looked around at all my stuff in boxes. There’s much of Galilee that I’ll never have to pack because I already carry it within me. It has become, and will remain, a part of me.

Truly, I will thank my God for every remembrance of you (Phil 1:3).   

With heartfelt gratitude and love,

Pastor Geitra

“Let us not grow weary in doing good…we will reap a harvest if we don’t give up!”