June 16, 2010

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

I write with a heavy heart and a grateful spirit to tell you that the Rev. Dave Killeen has accepted the Bishop’s appointment to be Priest in Charge at St. John’s in Tallahassee. Recent events at St. John’s have led the Bishop to conclude that an appointment, with the option to stand for election as rector in time, is the best alternative for one of the great congregations of our diocese. I concur.

And I concur that Dave will be a blessing to whomsoever he serves. We all have known him to be a priest of extraordinary integrity and grace over these past three years. In addition, we have grown to love Carol, Paul, Mike, Tom and Danny. It will be hard to let them go.

You have heard me say on more than one occasion that the final measure of love is the capacity to let go. Well, now I get to practice what I preach. Letting go of Dave (and Carol and the boys) will be good for Dave, good for his family and good for our diocese. It would not serve Dave’s long-term goals for us to hold onto him, nor would it reflect well upon us. Over the years, this great parish has helped to raise up and train many young priests for service in the greater church. This past Sunday we said “Farewell” to Jessica Babcock and her family, Dwight, Emory and Adelaide as they headed off to seminary in Tennessee.

In our best moments, and by grace, we are a parish that raises people up for ministry and then sends them off with love and support. I call upon you to join me in doing this for the Killeen’s. Dave has served us well. Carol and the boys have blessed us in so many ways. Now we commend them to God.

Both Dave and I will be out of town in June, he on the Youth Mission Trip, and I on vacation from June 14-29. Sandy Moyle is available should you want to discuss this. Dave’s final Sunday with us will be August 8. In the meantime, I will be concluding a search for his successor. We will find a fine priest to follow in his footsteps. But in the meantime, won’t you join me in saying good-bye with love and affection to a good priest, a wonderful family and fellow servants of Jesus Christ.

Yours in Christ Jesus,

Jonathan B. Coffey, Rector