Fr Harry's Retirement

John Hodges • October 30, 2024

Fr Harry announces his retirement

My beloved Parish Family –

For the past many months, I have been praying for direction and peace. At this time, I feel that I have received an answer. Consequently, the First Sunday of Christmas, December 29, 2024 will be my last service here at St. Matthew’s.

I have spoken with the Bishop and he agrees that after almost 15 years at St. Matt’s and nearly 45 years of ministry, it is my time to completely retire. Your Board is aware of this decision and will consult with Bishop Douglas to plan out the future for St. Matt’s with his staff and consul. It is his desire to see St. Matt’s continue, and he is working on a new vision. This happens each time a clergy leaves a parish.

I can’t thank you all enough for your friendship, kindness, and commitment to God in your own lives and in the ministry of our parish. I know that God will guide you to a new future, and with your help and patience it will happen! Just trust in the Lord, for He is our strength and salvation. God love you, and trust that while I am not going to be with you any longer, I will pray for you and I will continue to love each and everyone of you.

Blessings and peace,

Fr. Harry

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A Rainy Day at the Cabin

By Harry Parsell • July 28, 2023

Wow! What a beautiful week it’s been. Hate to brag but it is the truth! The sun has come up every morning from the beginning of the week up until just two days ago. The humidity has been low up until two days ago, when we got a blast from the Gulf. But I guess with what’s been happening at home and all over the Southern tier of the country. My sister-in-law Jodi arrived as I mentioned with Lucy and Leo, her two Lab dogs and she said she brought the sun. So true until Mother Nature trumped her prediction. She is working hard from here and stays busy most days except the weekends. I try and work around the place and fix some of the things that have fallen apart with age and things that pop up that need some attending. My brother, Bill, her husband, is arriving tomorrow and they will be with me until Monday when they must return to Florida for work. This morning, I was able to clean the grill that had been stored for some time. I cooked hamburgers for lunch with tomato and cucumber salad and it was just what we needed. Last evening, we had a great time with some old friends that have even known my parents, and have taken care of this place for about 20 years. Will and his wife Christine met us for dinner in Burnsville at a quaint though informal restaurant called the Snapdragon, and we had a blast. I see them every year that I come up and Will, who does our exterminating of bugs, spiders, squirrels, bats etc., will watch this place throughout the winter. He is joined by another set of friends, Fred & Betty Lyda who live down the hill and assist us as needed. Later in the afternoon the heaven’s opened up again, and the wind and rain just like in Florida pounded us with lightning for the better part of the afternoon. The lightning sounds different since it bounces between the mountains and makes booms from all around. Weird. I took some pictures of the entrance to our property, the little bridge we cross and how it looks after its been soaked. Hope you will enjoy and I have put out more food for the deer but they haven’t come yet, I guess they need to dry off before they’ll have dinner! See you soon! Say hi to Fr. Jeff for me!