Today is a bit of a day of infamy. This morning marks the first Sunday in over twenty years that a Wickline has not been part of our church family. And by that I mean, with a home in the South Bay and regular access to worship here. At one point, there were eight of them around here. And not all were related to each other. First, four moved. Then two (the ones not related). And now the final two have fled the coast for the desert, in an attempt to retire. Wick has yet to sell his business, so he’ll be in the South Bay during the week, but weekends will all be spent in the Coachella Valley. I am happy for them, but not for me. I do pray Wick can sell his business and get out there full time.
Now I have to be honest. Karen says she “loves” the heat. Really? I predict we may see them in the cool confines of the South Bay at least once during the summer months. Speaking from experience, no one can survive a summer in the desert without some respite from the unrelenting heat. I know from personal experience. You need a break from the crushing heat of summer. So why not flee to the coast?
We have been enriched as a church family from our partnership in the Gospel with Wick and Karen. To see them head to desert is very sad, but life can do that. I don’t have to like it, but I have to accept it. So we rejoice with them as they leave, and weep within as we say goodbye.
They have always been so supportive of the staff and the direction of the church. Their constant smiles and hugs and words of encouragement have been a restorative balm to my soul. I miss Wick’s presence in the lobby handing out worship folders and Karen’s generous hugs and smiles to everyone who walked through those glass doors. They have been a joy to lead and an important part of who we are.
May God bless them as they transition to desert life. May they find a place to serve and a new ministry in which to invest their lives. And I’m only slightly jealous of the new pastor they will find and the support he will enjoy from them both.
This is not the end of this relationship, but just a change. I’m not a lover of change, but I don’t have a choice in this one. So thank you Wick and Karen, for the joy and love you have brought into our church family. When it gets hot out there, we’ll keep a nice cool seat with your name on it!