“Afterwards I will pour out my Spirit on all people: your sons and your daughters will prophesy;
your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions.” 
(Joel 2:28)

Advent is a time of waiting, of expecting, and of change. This time, preparing for the coming of the Christ child into our lives, is a time of transition.

Forty years ago, when I was a young man, I participated in the semester graduate school of ecumenical studies of the World Council of Churches at Bossey, near Geneva Switzerland. We were about 100 pastors and theological students from all over the world and from all sorts of Protestant, Orthodox, and Roman Catholic confessional backgrounds. We studied, ate, played and learned from each other. At that time, we caught a glimpse of a vision of the Church in all its diversity, yet also of our unity in Christ Jesus. Back then, I could not have dreamed that, as an older man, I would participate in and see the seed we have planted together come into fruition as our ECC – an international, ecumenical fellowship of Christians here in Bochum. Over the years, we have experienced growth and change together.

Now, in this Advent time, I am facing another time of transition.  With my age – just turning 64 – and health concerns, I have decided to step down as co-pastor of our ECC, effective the end of this year - December 31, 2009.

However, I plan to continue to participate in the ECC as an active church member and worshipper, including singing in the choir and playing tuba in our joint brass band – two activities I both enjoy and are meaningful to me. In addition, I will still be available to substitute as a “guest preacher” whenever desired and also participate in special services as our ECC’s retired pastor.

This Advent and Christmas will mean new possibilities and change, not only for me, but hopefully for all of us. I have particularly been blessed by serving with Pastor Jimmy Brown during these past years together. We have felt and understood our ministry as a true “calling” of God.  We believe that God has called us all to serve Christ together in this place and time. May this Advent season also be a time of recommitment to the life and support of the ECC. Let us be open to the movement of God’s Spirit in our midst, with a mood of expectancy and joy, as we celebrate this special season together.

 “But the Lord says, ‘Do not cling to the events of the past or dwell on what happened long ago.
I am about to do something new.  Now it springs forth – do you not perceive it? 
I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.’’”  (Isaiah 43:18-19)

Faithfully, your pastor and friend,

Robert Haworth