Prayer of Farewell for a Staff Member

1 Prayer of Farewell for a Staff Member Leader: Let us sit in silence for a few minutes, remembering the presence of our God who is with us and who understands the goodbye we are experiencing. Leader: God of our life s journeys, we gather here to celebrate the goodness of and ask your blessing as she continues on the road of life. May the love that is in our hearts be a bond that unites us forever, wherever we may be. May the power of your presence bless this moment of our leave-taking. Pause for quiet reflection remembering the gifts that has shared with us over the years. Response: We know that God goes with you. Leader: As you journey onward, may you remember always that our love and appreciation for you are etched on our hearts .. Leader: As you meet the poor, the pained, the stranger on your way, may you see in each one the face of our Christ.

2 Leader: As you walk through the good times and the hard times, may you never lose sight of the shelter of God s loving arms .. Leader: As you question your decisions and wonder about the fruits of your choices, may the peace of God reign in your heart .. Leader: We praise and thank you, God of the journey, for who is soon to leave. We entrust her into your loving care, knowing that you are always the Faithful Traveler and Companion on our way. Shelter her and protect her from all harm and all useless anxiety. May the future be a source of many enriching and transforming moments. Amen. Leader: Let us extend our hands and pray together the following blessing: A Scottish Blessing May the blessing of light be on you Light without and light within.

3 May the blessed sunlight shine on you like a great peat fire, So that stranger and friend may come and warm themselves at it. And may light shine out of the two eyes of you, Like a candle set in the window of a house, Bidding the wanderer come in out of the storm. May the blessing of the rain be on you, May it beat upon your Spirit And wash it fair and clean, And leave there a shining pool where the blue of Heaven Shines, And sometimes a star. May the blessing of the earth be on you, Soft under your feet as you pass along the roads, Soft under you as you lie out on it, tired at the end of day; And may it rest easy over you when, at last, you lie out under it. May it rest so lightly over you That your soul may be out from under it quickly; up and off and on its way to God. And now may the Lord bless you, and bless you kindly.

4 Amen. Adapted from a Prayer by Joyce Rupp Gather as a group, form a circle with your chairs.