Tiffany Kromer Farewell
Marthame:
Tiffany, so much has happened in the three years that you’ve been with us that it is hard for me to believe that it has been such a short time. Then again, Jesus’ ministry was only three years.
But don’t worry—I don’t think a trial or a cross awaits you today. Instead, we want to thank you for all that you have done. You have touched more lives and planted more seeds than you know, seed that will continue to grow in the years to come. So we set aside this time today in the midst of worship to give thanks to God, because it is God who has been working through you as we have worked together.
Your ministry here has been far-ranging; rather than try to summarize it briefly, it seems better that some in our community would share with you a word of their own that expresses their gratitude on behalf of all of OPC.
from the Graves’ girls:
Dear Mrs. Tiffany, We will miss you. We hope you visit. I love you xoxo. We will miss you being our pastor.
from Susannah Morris:
Tiffany, one of my clearest memories of youth group with you is of a Bible study during my senior year of high school. We’d read from Matthew Ch. 25, where Jesus tells the disciples that at the day of judgment, those who feed the hungry, quench the thirst of parched throats, clothe the naked, and visit those sick and in prison will find that they were in fact serving Jesus himself.
I’d heard the passage many times before, but the words you said next have shaped my life dramatically. You said that each time we meet somebody, in a real and tangible way we encounter Jesus face to face. Though none of us is the Messiah, God, for some odd reason, has chosen to dwell in human flesh, and in turn calls us to recognize the Divine presence in every person we meet, and even in ourselves. We each, every single one of us, bear the image of God.
Tiffany, time after time since that Bible study, I’ve thought back to your words. Moving on to college and new opportunities for study, fun, and ministry, when I’ve encountered a person who challenges me fundamentally, I’ve often thought, “So this is how Jesus meets me today.” That day in youth group, you unknowingly offered me a way to see other people that I think brings me closer to the love of others and God I yearn to embody.
In your three years at OPC, Tiffany, you’ve modeled that transformative encounter for me and for all of us here. A Methodist, you came to serve at a Presbyterian church. You’ve brought new energy, new perspectives, and a love that has touched many lives, including mine. But you’ve also brought a willingness to listen and adapt, a respect for our traditions, and even a tolerance for congregational meetings with oddly prophetic pre-written minutes. And in your encounter with this congregation, I know I’ve caught sight of Jesus among us.
Tiffany, we offer you this Presbyterian Book of Order signed by John Calvin himself (or so Marthame claims), knowing full well that you are a Methodist, as a reminder of God’s work in unlikely encounters between broken and blessed people like us.
Amy Cate, representing the Deacons:
Saying goodbye to a good friend is one of the toughest things we all have to do. Saying goodbye to someone like Tiffany seems even harder. You have been so much to so many of us. We have been in your Bible studies; you have guided and loved each of our children; you have been with us at hospitals and prayed for our sick loved ones; you have been with some of us through times of death; you have counseled some of us and been a sincere listener—or just a shoulder to cry on; you have prayed for each and every one of us. And if that isn’t enough, you have always had your beautiful smile, sweet voice and big hugs waiting for us.
So how do we say goodbye to you? We are lucky in this day that we have e-mail, cell phones, Facebook, Skype and so on because all of these things make it easier to be in touch.
But through God, we have something even better! We have his promise of eternal friendship! We know that although our paths may not cross again on earth, we will be together again. God gives us the gift of holding Tiffany in our heart and thinking of her and praying for her anytime we want to be with her.
As I thought of your departure this week, I couldn’t help but be reminded of my teenage years when the youth director of my childhood was called to another church. Our church, and especially our youth, was heartbroken. One way we showed him our commitment to our friendship was through song. It also helped some of us cope with sadness. I want to teach you all this song today. You may already know it—it may be special to you—and maybe you will find yourself humming or singing it and you can lift your thoughts to God for Tiffany:
Friends
by: Michael W. Smith and Deborah D. Smith
Friends are friends forever
If the Lord’s the Lord of them.
And a friend will not say never
‘cause the welcome will not end.
Thought it’s hard to let you go
In the Father’s hands we know
That a lifetime’s not too long
To live as friends
Marthame:
My turn. I hope during our time together that I have thanked you adequately to let you know how much I appreciate you and the many, many gifts you bring to ministry. You have had an impact on our children, our youth, our congregational care, our Christian Education, our worship. Indeed, you have had a role ion shaping just about every area of our ministry at OPC.
I have had the pleasure not only of calling you colleague and friend, but of also watching you grow into your call as God’s servant. When you arrived, you were still in Seminary. I know you were still unsure of your gifts for ministry at the time, but you were so certain of your passion to be a part of God’s kingdom in tangible ways. And even though I was ultimately unable to persuade you of the error of your ways as a Methodist, I am convinced that your call to ministry began long before you ever set foot at OPC. Our joy has been to watch that call become more deeply rooted within you and we have benefited from that gift.
You have a heart for justice for all of God’s people; a vision of radical community inclusion without barriers; a passion for worship that matters, and education that nurtures and challenges; a spirit that weeps with those who mourn and dances with those who celebrate. In short, you are Pastor Tiffany. You are God’s servant. And God is well-pleased with you.
Now I know that you have coveted my embroidered Jerusalem stoles, and hereby cleanse you of this blatant violation of the ninth commandment by presenting you with your own.
We love you. We will miss you. And we pray for you as you and Tim take this next step on your journey together.
Hear these words from Scripture:
You are citizens with the saints and also members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone. In him the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord; in whom you also are built together spiritually into a dwelling place for God.
Tiffany, in your baptism our Lord Jesus Christ put his name on you and received you into the church. You have always been a precious child of God made in the image of God. We have rejoiced in your incredible ministry here at OPC with us. God has blessed you and made you a blessing in our life together.
As we join our voices with God’s in saying, “Well done, good and faithful servant,” we want you to know that we will miss your many gifts for ministry, We love you. And we are deeply, deeply grateful to you for all that you have done and continue to do for the sake of God’s kingdom, And now as you and Tim head to Maryland, you are taking a new step in your faith journey. And so this charge is quite fitting:
Go in peace. Go in love. Go in the spirit of Christ.
Know that your ministry with us has served the cause of Christ in this community. Well done, good and faithful servant.
Go in peace. Go in love. Go in the spirit of Christ.
May your deepening commitment to Christ become your starting point as you enter this next step of your journey.
Go in peace. Go in love. Go in the spirit of Christ.
Let us pray: Faithful God, we are grateful for all the evidence of your grace we have seen at work through Tiffany. Keep, preserve, and protect her and Tim all of their days. By the power of the Holy Spirit, may they continue to be salt of the earth and light for the world. Keep them faithful to you, in prayer, worship, and service, in the years to come. Lead them forward, secure in the faith that binds us forever in the body of Christ. May we ever remain on in Christ’s name. Amen.