The day after Easter Sunday, I’ll begin a new chapter of life as I retire after 30 years serving as pastor of the Heidlersburg/Mount Olivet Charge of the Church of the United Brethren in Christ. Serving these congregations has been one of the great privileges of my life.
Retirement doesn’t mean slowing down — just shifting gears. My plans include:
1. Gradually moving from our home in Heidlersburg to Chambersburg.
2. Finishing the three novels that are so close to completion. (Retirement writing plan: finish three novels. Suspected obstacle: feline manuscript management.)
3. Starting a YouTube series that respectfully addresses common questions and objections about Christianity.
4. Taking some time to sort through my online connections, remembering old friends — especially those we lost during COVID — and letting go where needed. (That part will be bittersweet.)
5. Taming my massive library and reducing it by about 50% — likely with much weeping and wailing.
6. I’m also slowly rebuilding my old hobby in parlor magic. Years ago, I performed semi-professionally with the Society of American Magicians (1974–1979), and I still enjoy doing small shows for groups of 50 or fewer. Unfortunately, many of my props were damaged during an outdoor show a few years ago, so I’m starting over. These days it’s easy to find close-up magic — thanks in part to performers like David Blaine — but good parlor and stage effects are surprisingly hard to come by. Still, I recently discovered a wonderful old-fashioned magic shop in Reading, which feels a bit like finding buried treasure. So the rebuilding begins.
7. Research the possibility of obtaining a PhD in Aesthetic Theology (yes, that has been a long-term interest of mine) from Kairos University. Not because I want the title of Doctor before my name, but because I want to continue the discipline of study.
At 71, every day God gives me the strength to work toward these goals feels like a gift.
Short version: retirement just means I’ll be a busy little beaver in a different forest.
