The August 23 worship service marks the retirement of Rev. Dr. Lise Sparrow after twenty years of ministry. Sparrow has served the Guilford Church since February 2000, first as a licensed minister, and later as an ordained pastor of the United Church of Christ. Preceding her ministry, from 1982 to 2005, she was a professor of language teacher training and intercultural communication at the School for International Training.
Church musicians have created a suprise musical tribute which will open the service and other music will include two original compositions by Peter Amidon “Beatitudes” which was dedicated to Rev Sparrow in 2002 and “Magnificat” based on Luke 1: 46-55. Other music includes “on the Road Again” put together by Patty Meyer and the youth of the church, “All Shall be Well”, a chant by David Keller, favorite hymn “Blest be the Tie That Binds” and “Aloha O’e” written by Queen Liliʻuokalani. The children’s story touches on the meaning of “Aloha” and the sermon for the day by Rev. Sparrow has the same title. The service is a bittersweet combination of gratitude and farewell ending with a photo display of her work with youth and the presentation of an award, a scholarship fund established in her name for youth of the church.