Life is Fluid

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Dear Inner Circle,

After much consideration and with the sincerest belief that the next ten years should be our strongest, I have informed the Board of Wayside and the Uniting Church that now is the right time to start looking for the new person to lead Wayside. This is not a sudden decision, but the result of consultation and careful planning. Uniting Ministers negotiate their placements every five years. Currently, I have served for 14 years and my term is due to cease at the end of 2018. Succession is a most important matter and given the history and trajectory of Wayside, it is vital that we achieve a smooth generational handover. Making the decision now allows us to conduct an appropriate transition.

I have made the decision knowing in my head and heart that this is the right time.

When I was first employed at Wayside our building was rubble, our finances were difficult at best, and we had a tiny team of staff. We have come so far. With the help of volunteers, staff and our supporters, the next generation of Wayside’s leaders can take our mission further and deeper into the community. This is important, not just for the sake of Wayside as an organisation, but for the sake of the people we serve and for the people whose humanity flourishes when they get involved with us to create a community of no ‘us and them’.[vc_row columns_on_tablet=”keep” padding_top=”0″ padding_bottom=”0″][vc_column h_text_align=”left” h_text_align_mobile=”left” v_align=”v-align-middle” use_background=”” width=”1/1″][tm_image image_id=”686″ link_image=”none” textarea_html_bkg_color=”#ffffff” caption_type=””][/tm_image][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row columns_on_tablet=”keep” padding_top=”50″ padding_bottom=”50″][vc_column h_text_align=”left” h_text_align_mobile=”left” v_align=”v-align-middle” use_background=”” width=”1/1″][tm_textblock textarea_html_bkg_color=”#ffffff”]For the past year or so as this decision has been weighed, I’ve been often reduced to a state of speechless awe, pondering our journey together. We should take a moment to celebrate an astonishing journey as well as gathering our courage to meet our destiny. I’ve shared this journey with the wealthiest and the poorest people in this country and I’ve learned that everyone thrives when we are captured by a mission that is bigger than all of us.

In future, I look forward to supporting Wayside and the new leader in any non-executive way that I can. I will continue as CEO and Pastor and will give my all to the Wayside community, as we map out the leadership change. The mission of creating community with no ‘us and them’ is way bigger than me. I’ve always known that I was necessary, significant – but not central to this amazing community.

Rather than have this news come to you second hand as the succession process unfolds, I wanted to share this news with you now, our mighty inner circle. I imagine this note will continue just as the work continues. Maybe I’ll write the odd note myself. Maybe from 2019, I’ll start teaching a lot of philosophy classes at Wayside. Maybe at long last, I’ll pick up formal study again.

This news is rather early and there are many bridges to cross yet, but it seems fitting to share this news openly with you. Our Board have embraced this challenge with all the care and due diligence that has made them legendary in this sector and in each of their respective fields. The Board plan to announce my successor in the new year and arrange for a crossover period of at least six months.With all the love and gratitude in the world, thanks for being part of our inner circle,

Graham

Rev Graham Long AM
CEO & Pastor
The Wayside Chapel

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