The Long Goodbye

written by Edith Guffey,
Conference Minister

My friend and former colleague Rev. John Thomas called it the long goodbye; the time between when a person serving in a pastoral role in the UCC announces they are leaving until they are finally gone. I suppose those who designed this process considered the importance of a healthy goodbye. The importance of closure, the time it takes for transition, the desire to make sure that all of the loose ends are tied up. All those things are important. Eventually, the time comes to actually leave. That is the hard part. 

And now that time has come. I have given my last report to the Annual Meeting, and we marked my leaving with an event in Wichita. Thank you for a wonderful, gracious, and generous retirement celebration that captured memories of my years, not just in KO, but throughout my 30-year career in the UCC. Special appreciation to Bobbie Henderson, Michael Vollbrecht, Julia Gaughan, and all who planned, participated in, and attended this hybrid celebration. How wonderful it was to be together and to be joined virtually with others in KO and across the country. What an incredible gift to formally retire from ministry in the same Conference that introduced me to the United Church of Christ. Did I hear someone say “full circle?”

For all of my years in the United Church of Christ, Kansas-Oklahoma has been referred to as a small Conference, and I suppose that is true when we look at the number of churches, the size of the staff, and the budget. And you know I am not one to ignore the concrete realities: those things matter because in some ways they speak to the capacity for ministry. But these concrete measures are not the only way to assess a Conference. There’s the spirit. And friends, I contend that you are not a small Conference in spirit, in your capacity to be innovative, to experiment, to take risks, and to be open to new possibilities. In these areas and so many others, you are far beyond the numbers and far exceed so many others that have “much more” if you look at the numbers alone. But they lack your spirit, and numbers without spirit can fall flat. 

As you know in the UCC leaving means, well, leaving. I have been working closely with the Committee on Ministry to establish clear boundaries as I will continue to live in Lawrence, but will not be active in any way in the Conference. Many have asked what I plan to do. It’s inconceivable (especially to Jerry) that I would do nothing! I thought that might be possible, but it’s not. I have accepted a very part-time position for a short time with the Southern California Nevada Conference to do some administrative project work as they prepare for a new settled Conference Minister. It’s perfect for me and I hope for them.

I know you will welcome Lorraine with the same graciousness that you welcomed me. I know she will grow to know and love you, just as I have, and you will care and support her as you have me over the last nine years. She is a gifted leader with vision and expertise in many areas; you will do great work together. 

I have so many hopes for you, but as I named them all in my last report to Annual Meeting, I don’t need to repeat them here. I can’t help but say, however, that I hope you will be bolder, louder, more audacious in who you are as the United Church of Christ in Kansas and Oklahoma as there are people looking for church like you, like us. Let them know you are here.

This is the end of “the long goodbye,” and I can think of no better way to end than with the words from the UCC Book of Worship that are used across the life of the UCC at times of farewell. We said them together in Wichita in the Service of Release, and I close with them here as well: 

God, whose everlasting love for all is trustworthy, help each of us to trust the future which rests in your care. The time we were together in your name saw our laughter and tears, our hopes and disappointments. Guide us as we hold these cherished memories but move us in new directions, until that time to come when we are completely one with you and with each other. In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.