God is the Story of Whatever Works

Brendan Murphy on August 9, 2023

God is the story of whatever works. God is the twist at the end and the quirks. We are the start, and we are the centre, we’re the characters, narrators, inventors. God is the bit that we can’t explain − maybe the healing maybe the pain. We are the bit that God can’t explain maybe the harmony maybe the strain. God is the plot, and we are the writers, the story of winners and the story of fighters, the story of love, and the story of rupture, the story of stories, the story without structure.
Padraig OTauma, Excerpt from ‘Narrative Theology #2’


The departure letter was written months ago. The notes to you about transitional times, hearts, and minds are done as well. Choosing to both dive into my new call and continue as your Sunday priest felt like a kindness. It was a gift to me, if also not as simple as I imagined it would be. Maybe it was healing, maybe it was confusion and grief, likely both. I was graced by your friendliness, love, hugs, and gifts as we made this many-week journey. Thank you for all the harmony we have shared – and my apologies for what was left undone. My last Sunday, for now, is this Sunday, the 13th of August. At both services we will pray together a liturgy of farewell. This is holy work for all of us, for you and for me. It is vital to the process of this transition – so I hope and ask that if you are nearby and able – please come and pray this on site. If you are at a distance for whatever reason, I hope you will attend to the service digitally, and pray earnestly in the presence of the Spirit of God.

Christ Church is a gift to the neighborhood, it has been for many years, and will continue to be so. The story of whatever-works isn’t a repeat of the past but the longing of God that is leading you to an inclusive and mindful mission of caregiving and joy and witness to Jesus for right now – meeting the real pain of the community with the story of Love. You are the writers and narrators and actors of the reign of God – you can do hard things. I hope and pray that you will manage these next months with hope, patience, curiosity, and wholehearted courage. I trust that whomever is called to be your next priest, you will welcome them into your lives, you will come alongside them as they strive to help you live into the next chapter of God’s story for CCRP.

My new home is in Ardmore, the new office in Norristown. As your Canon for Transitions, I will be working for you constantly. We will walk carefully through the next months, giving you the space you need to prepare your hearts and minds for beginning a new era with a new priest. I am not gone from you, but I will practice a friendly distance – a wider one as the new person begins their ministry in your context. I will not unfriend or unfollow on social media (nor adding anyone), but I may be less interactive for a while. Always know how much I love and care for you, and always know how much Jesus loves each of you, just as you are.

The staff and leadership of CCRP are amazing and capable. Step up, sign up, offer heart and hands to the work that is before you. All will be well, you are the fighters and actors and narrators of the story that God so loves.

Peace be with you.

The Reverend Canon Jane Gober