Note: This is what I shared at my last Presbytery meeting in February. I have one more week before retirement.
I once served a rural congregation in a town of 400 people.
I’ve served a suburban church whose members included military leaders, spies, and lots of lawyers.
I’ve been a single pastor, a married pastor, and the Pastor Mom of 3 children under the age of 4.
I’ve served two great Presbyteries through everything from lawsuits to COVID.
I’ve been asked -as the local pastor- to judge a Halloween costume contest where I was bribed by three different sets of parents who wanted their particular witch to win. I’ve blessed a bar, cast out evil spirits, and been invited by three different people to cast evil spirits out of me.
I baptized someone in the Potomac River after getting an okay from the EPA. I’ve baptized newborns in NICUs- some of whom had already passed away.
I’ve officiated weddings on mountainsides, beaches, farmhouses, restaurants, museums, the National Cathedral, and the top of the George Washington Masonic Temple in Solomon’s Throne Room.
I served our denomination with my sister Denise Anderson representing the Church in 24 states and several different countries.
I’ve had the honor of being with several people when they breathed their last breath, and then witnessed their burials or the spreading their ashes everywhere from railroad tracks to Arlington National Cemetery to the doors of the Castle Church in Wittenburg.
I’ve been blessed with a huge variety of experiences, by God’s grace.
But I have never been retired.
And so I covet your prayers.
Thank you for allowing me to be the church with you.
PS – I hope to keep writing after this.
A Church for Starving Artists 
I hope you keep writing, too, if that is what you are called to do as the next chapters are written. Sending love in this time of endings, beginnings and the in-between.
Sarah
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Thank you Sarah.
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Jan, you have given your all. Relax and enjoy your retirement.
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I’m so glad the writing will continue. Prepare to shift gears and enjoy your next chapter. Well done, good and faithful servant!
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I hope you keep writing Jan. I read your postings, sometimes a day or two late but so often what you share is just what I needed to read.
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congratulations Jan!
Give yourself lots of room and lots of grace. Retirement is fabulous- a great next chapter. And getting over that rather large threshold can be tricky.
you can do this.
sending lots of love.
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🙏Sent from my iPhone
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You are going to love retirement, it’s a whole new world. I have been retired for almost 16 years and they have been the fastest years of my life, so just a warning, be prepared for a time warp! My retirement years have not been spent on a porch in a rocker, nor do I see you doing any such thing, either. Many of my friends have said, “there is no word in the Bible for retirement.”
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I have so appreciated your contribution to pastors, church leaders, and the PCUSA. And yes, you can still contribute your wisdom as a real elder.
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💖💖💖
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Retirement is a fantastic journey! Congratulations! Glad you will keep writing too!
Enjoy!
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I first met you when you were working for the Chicago Presbytery, and you came to Lincoln Park Presbyterian Church and gave an interesting and insightful PPT presentation on the changes, challenges and competing forces confronting congregations in this era. Your current Presbytery will miss your faithful expertise and care which you’ve brought to every call. May retirement be a time of new adventures! (Barry)
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Retirement is an adventure, to be sure. Welcome to the retirement world! It’s pretty good here, once you get used to it. I recommend this podcast, to ease the transition. It’s the rare retirement podcast that’s not about investments. https://www.retirementwisdom.com/the-retirement-wisdom-podcast/
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Congratulations! Enjoy your well-deserved retirement.
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Congratulations Jan on your retirement! I hope you enjoy it as much as I have! Enjoy time with Fred, your family, and all things you love!
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