Dear Friends,

            As I write these words, it’s the week following Easter and I suspect many of you who are reading these words are currently on vacation, traveling near or far and hopefully being renewed for the struggles and challenges of being servant leaders. I trust that all of us had a Lenten season that deepened our faith and renewed both our capacity for, as well as commitment to, a transformational ministry.

            My time serving as Dean of the Cabinet is drawing to a close and a new Dean will be elected and announced at our Annual Conference in Adrian later this month. It has been a singular honor to be entrusted to this position of leadership… even as it has meant even more meetings for me, more time away from Mary and more conversations with other leaders in the Conference… and beyond.

            At the end of my term as Dean, I will be taking advantage of a Renewal Leave, as
provided for in ¶ 425 of the 2008 Book of Discipline. I will be taking off for the entire months of June, July and August for the purpose of renewal and reflection. As a way of living into that time, Mary and I have made reservations for a 16-day trip to visit England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland. We will also spend a great deal time up north near our family home near Traverse City… and perhaps see if there is a class that might be especially appropriate for my ministry at my alma mater, The Iliff School of Theology in Denver. There are classes during the summer both on the Denver campus and in Aspen.

            From time-to-time, I am asked if I am enjoying being a District Superintendent… and I can honestly report that I am indeed doing so! To be sure, some days are more “fun” or invigorating than others… but is that really different than what you might say? I can certainly attest that being a Superintendent is different than being the “Dean of the ‘Sidewalk Cabinet’”, as I was for a number of years. But that’s another column! Being a Superintendent is a different ministry, calling for some different skills and perspectives, than serving a congregation… but it still involves being faithful to the Gospel… listening carefully to God’s “still small voice” (and that of others)… balancing competing claims for your attention and devotion, multi-tasking and seeking to maintain some balance with one’s family, calling and being a citizen of the community… and world.

            As always, I look forward to hearing any feedback you might offer. I look for-ward to being with you and seeing many of you in Adrian. May the spirit of the Risen Christ continue to animate your soul and be at the core of who you are and what you do.

Shalom,

Tom Macaulay
District Superintendent