Rev. Dr. Michael Penn Moore - A Charge into Retirement

Original Date: June 3, 2012
Church of the Redeemer UCC

Michael, it is an honor for me to participate in this afternoon’s service. Now, normally, a charge is offered at the time of authorization or installation. However, we figured you may need a little more direction in life and so we wanted to also offer you a charge into retirement.

So Michael, I charge you today to never place a period where God has placed a comma, Over 38 years ago the church officially recognized God’s call on your life and ordained you to a ministry of word and sacrament. Even though the Western Reserve Association Committee on Ministry will move your standing from the active to the retired column today- that does not mean that God’s calling on your life has changed. Once ordained, always ordained. Remember always that God’s call will continue to be upon you, never place a period where God has placed a comma,  

I also charge you today to live a life of self-differentiation. Now this is not a call to a life of schizophrenia or some other form of neurosis- but rather a call to have a strong sense of who you are and whose you are, balanced with an equally strong understanding of who you are not. In other words, know and honor your boundaries. Continue to find and understand your identity as a sheep among God’s flock, but know where your pasture ends and someone else’s begins.

Continue to live out your covenantal relationship with God. Find a community of faith where you can flourish. Surround yourself with friends and colleagues who will support and challenge you- intellectually, spiritually and emotionally. Do not allow dust to accumulate on your shoes, books or psyche. Stay active as long as you can, feed your mind and seek nourishment for your soul.

Finally Rev. Moore, as you enter retirement I charge you to share equally in both the bread and the cup. The bread of Christ’s brokenness will follow you as you leave this place. You will continue to bear witness to pain and suffering in this world, both personal and corporate. Continue to offer a compassionate heart in the midst of strife and advocate for the marginalized and oppressed. In the same way the joy of the new covenant will follow you from this place. Celebrate with those who rejoice. Feast on your passions, show love and delight in the possibilities God has yet to place before you.

Michael, as you now prepare to go forth from this place, may God’s stillspeaking voice echo in your ears, may Christ’s redeeming sacrifice give meaning to your life and may the gifts of the Holy Spirit continue to surprise you.

Thank you for your service to God’s church and your faithfulness to your ministerial call.

May the Peace of Christ’s Be With You,

Rev. Holly MillerShank
UCC Ministerial Excellence Support and Authorization Ministry Team
Friend of Church of the Redeemer UCC, Westlake Ohio