Haddonfield Today 070_2020Apr17

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The Last Word
#070 • APRIL 17 TO MAY 1, 2020
“Goodbye” ... and thanks
for the memories
By The Rev. Bill Getman
When I was younger – much younger – I hated airports. They represented
“goodbyes” to me and produced a pit in my stomach every time I entered one.
Yes, I know they also represent “hellos,” but that emotional realization came later. I
dreaded watching my dad board another plane for another conference, my brother fly
off to college, and worst of all, my future wife, Sue, leave to return to school in North
Carolina.
I’m experiencing a bit of airport dread right now, as I anticipate my flight into
retirement at the end of this month, because I will depart without ample opportunity
to say “Goodbye” to all who have been such an important part of my life the last
18 years. Unfortunately, my service as pastor of the First Presbyterian Church – an
immense privilege – is ending during a pandemic, when we must all practice “social
distancing.” So it will not be possible for “goodbyes” to be exchanged in person. Ugh!
At least I can use this “Last Word” column to recognize some people I will miss very
much. (And who doesn’t like getting the last word!)
I begin, of course, with the staff and members at First Presbyterian Church. They
have shared the joys and heartaches my family and I have known through nearly two
decades in Haddonfield. During those years, a day rarely passed that my family of faith
did not teach me about the love and compassion of God.
How grateful I will always be for them!
But I will leave with gratitude for others, as well: the town’s clergy, who were not
only colleagues in ministry, but close friends; the Council of Churches and Ed Hess,
who have provided financial support and guidance to hundreds of Camden County
households through the Case Worker Fund; Gene Kain and Pam Powers, the most
caring and professional funeral directors I have known in 43 years of ministry; the
management and staff at Villa Rosa and The Bistro, who knew when I walked in the
door what I would order; and all the Haddonfield residents too numerous to name who
became friends.
To all of you, thank you for so enriching my life.
The coronavirus has made it impossible for me to say
“Goodbye” in person, something I will always regret. But
my retirement will be filled with rich memories of my
time in Haddonfield. I will treasure them, and always be
thankful.
SCAN
for gallery
of Pastor
Bill Getman
photos.
.