Farewell from Cuyler O’Connor

Dear Friends,

I am sitting in my office with a heavy, but excited, heart as I type this letter. It is hard for me to say goodbye, but a calling to the Diaconate is leading me forward to an internship at St. Michael’s Raleigh. I recently met with my Spiritual Director, Rev. Winston Charles, and had a “thin moment” around being open but also being still. In my conversation I thought about mentors in my life but then thought about a “body/institution” being a mentor to me, and that “body” is the Church of Nativity. There has not been one time in this process that Nativity has not been on the sidelines cheering me on; everyone truly wants the best for me, and that is not only authentic but also a blessing. The church has been the one place I can get away from all the corporate trappings and agendas and truly be myself. This is what God wants for us all. I have too many to thank for support and love, and please know I support and love you all. My door is always open; if you send me a text/email it will always be read, and I will be forever grateful for my Nativity faith family.  

One of my favorite songs that I use to sing in camp as a kid said, “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32). This is the embodiment of what Church of Nativity is to me–living in Christ together, forgiving, being compassionate, and making the world a better place.

Sarah and the girls are really excited for me and what the future holds: most importantly taking it one day at a time and enjoying myself. They have witnessed my development as I continue to discern a calling and I also ask for your continued prayers as I continue to “lean into” this. Also, we feel it best that they continue to attend Church of the Nativity, as the youth programming is of such importance for the girls as they spiritually develop. I think if there is one thing we have learned in the past two years, it is to be flexible. I would be remiss if I did not give a shout out to my “Christian Essentials” peeps. That stage of formation really gave me assurance and confidence that a calling was speaking to me and really kept our souls healthy in a time of uncertainty.

Peaceful blessings, 

Cuyler