Dear Fig friends,
This past week, our wonderful Director of Children’s Ministries, Cindy Hauser, shared with me her intention to retire in September. I hope you will join me in being happy for Cindy as she prepares for this exciting transition, though I know you share my sadness that she will soon leave our staff team.
For five years on staff, and for several years prior to that as a key volunteer, Cindy has cherished the children of our church and set them on a path of lifelong faith. She is a master storyteller, which has shaped the spiritual imaginations of hundreds of children, and her gentleness and kindness have brought the gospel to life. In this regard, my gratitude for Cindy is also personal: I know that my daughters encountered the love of Christ every time they were with Cindy.
Cindy has also been a thoughtful mentor to our parents and an effective leader of dozens of volunteers who assist our children’s ministries. She has built upon the leadership of previous directors to develop one of the leading faith formation programs anywhere in the Episcopal Church. We are sought out for ideas and best practices, especially in connection with Godly Play.
There will be time in coming months for a proper celebration of Cindy’s impact on our church, and I will share with you those details as they are set. Kids who are part of our faith formation program are invited to attend Children’s Chapel and/or Sunday School this Sunday, when Cindy will share with them about this decision and answer any questions they may have. In the meantime, Mother Rebecca and I will begin immediately the search for our next Director of Children’s Ministries. Cindy will leave big shoes, but she will also leave a healthy program filled with incredible volunteers. It has never been about one person, but about what we do together to form the faith of kids. And that work, with God’s help, will continue long into the future. So please pray for Cindy, for our children and their parents, for all our volunteers, and for the Holy Spirit to guide our search for her successor.
Most sincerely,
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Dear Transfiguration Family,
It is with mixed emotions but a grateful heart that I share the news of my retirement as Director of Children’s Ministry, September 2021. Although I am excited about this next chapter of my life, I also feel the sadness of saying good bye. Over the past 6 years, I have come to know and love the children, parents, teachers and people of Transfiguration. I hope you know that I have loved being your Director of Children’s Ministry.
I have felt throughout my life a call to serve God’s church but most especially her children. This is why I will be eternally grateful to Father Casey and Transfiguration for providing me the opportunity to respond to this call in a way that has been both meaningful and fulfilling. I am also so grateful for the Transfiguration staff whose collaboration and generosity of spirit has been a wonderful blessing to me.
I thank the children for being amazing witnesses of the gospel message through their love and faith which is pure, joyful and redeeming. They remind me time and again how to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.
It has been a joy and privilege to walk with you during our time together. We have told sacred stories, prayed, celebrated, played and even danced together. The list goes on and on. I am grateful for your role in my sacred story. You have been one of my favorite, most important parts. There is nothing that I would leave out of this story of our time together.
We have plenty of time for good byes but until then be assured that I will do all I can to ease the transition.
I thank my God, whenever I think of you and when I pray for you it is with Joy, knowing that the One who has begun the good work here in each of you will continue, providing grace and blessings all along the way.
With love and gratitude,
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