Dear Friends –

I hope that this letter finds you well.  I’m writing, in a very bittersweet mood, to tell you that I’ve accepted a call to be Priest-in-Charge at Church of the Saviour in Denville, New Jersey.  The only thing that tempers my sadness in leaving Grace Church is how excited I am to be asked to preach and teach the Gospel in a new and exhilarating place. 

Two years ago, when our then-Rector Janet Broderick left, the vestry and I decided that we'd both like to continue with me as pastor at Grace Church.  We were told by the Diocese (our regional governing body) that this arrangement was acceptable only so long as I not be considered for the permanent position.  If I did want to be considered, I would have had to go somewhere else – another church – for at least two years.  Not wanting to part ways at that juncture, the vestry and I decided that I would stay.

Then began the “search process” which began with a  parish survey and the production of a document called the “parish profile” which was used to attract candidates for the rectorship of Grace Church to the position.

The search committee at Grace is progressing in its work, and I pray that, before too long, a wonderful rector will be called here to share his or her life and ministry with you.  It has been an incredible four years that I’ve been here at Grace; I’ve learned to be a minister here.  I’ve been stretched in ways I’d never expected, and supported and cared for in ways for which I couldn’t have hoped.

My first Sunday at Church of the Saviour will be May 1 (and my last at Grace, Easter Sunday).  Between now and then, please feel free to talk to me or to ask me any questions you have.  Chi and Julie, your wardens, are on the trail of pastoral support for the time between my departure and the completion of the search committee’s work.  You couldn’t be in better hands.

            Please know that you will be in my prayers, always.  Most of all, be assured that the Gospel is not dependent on the preacher, and is true in any and every case.  “You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die.  But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:6-8).

Yours,

The Rev. Nick Lannon

Grace Church Van Vorst