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Interim Pastor's First Day 
November 19, 2023

Today I start a new position as Bridge Pastor of a small congregation. Years ago, I read of a children's message for this occasion, in which the new Interim Pastor entered the sanctuary dragging a small suitcase behind her. During the children's sermon, she introduced herself, opened the suitcase and showed the children the items she had brought to outfit her office for the time they would spend together--things like a Bible, her in-home communion kit, her laptop, a collection of stoles, etc. Her time with them would be relatively short, she said. She would not be their pastor for years and years, like her predecessor. She explained how much she was looking forward to getting to know each of them, and of being their pastor, and of helping the church while it looked for a new minister. 

Then on her last Sunday, during the children's time, she packed up her suitcase with the same items, put in a couple of new things which would remind her of her experience at XYZ church, told them how much she had enjoyed being their pastor, that her job was done and they would now have the fun of getting to know their new minister. At the end of the service, she walked down the aisle, pulling her suitcase behind her. 

Unfortunately, I don't remember the name of the person who posted this brilliant idea originally, but I do plan to use it this morning. Thanks so much to its creator!