To The Beloved Members and Friends of GBIO:
 

Over the last 17 1/2 years I have had many blessings, honors and great joys here in Boston. The first and greatest honor has been the privilege of being the Pastor of Roxbury Presbyterian Church USA (RPC). The second highest honor, however, is to be a founding leader of the Greater Boston Interfaith Organization (GBIO). During the last eight years you have blessed me with the marked distinction of being your President. Above all you have granted me the gift to love you across denomination, class, race, political and philosophical divides and to be loved by you. For these great joys – I thank you.
  

God has reassigned me to a new ministry in California! Therefore, my time to move off the scene here in Boston has arrived. The time for GBIO to have a new President – as you prepare to go the next leg of the Journey is now upon us. On November 27, 2011 at 10:00 a.m., I will preach my last sermon as the Pastor of RPC. Sometime, thereafter, I will relinquish the beloved title of “GBIO President.”   For many of you this will come as a shock and a surprise. Please know that this transition is for no reason other than God’s reassignment.
 

Nevertheless, leaving the city of Boston is a difficult call to which I am compelled to say “yes.”   I depart carrying with me so many wonderful stories of shared grace and accomplishments. Stories like – securing two million dollars for new text books for inner city schools; winning support, respect and dignity for our Haitian brothers and sisters who serve in Boston’s nursing homes; acquiring millions for affordable housing, youth jobs and summer programming; and helping to win quality healthcare for almost a half a million people and still counting! How fabulous it is to see our country debate what we accomplished in Massachusetts as a possible solution for a nation grappling with the moral responsibility to provide quality, affordable healthcare to its entire people.
   

At the beginning of 2012, I will assume new duties as the Teaching Pastor of Abundant Life Christian Fellowship, located in Mountain View California, near Stanford University, (www.ALCF.net). This non-denominational congregation resembles GBIO in many ways. It is African-American, Latino, Asian and White, and its regional ministry draws volumes of individuals (4,500 members) from around the Bay Area (wealthy, poor and working class; democrats and republicans). Recently, I remarked, “if one took RPC and GBIO and combined them into one, the result would look very much like Abundant Life Christian Fellowship.”  

As I go, it will be the leaders and people with whom I have been blessed to work with over the years that I will miss the most: Rabbis, Imams, and Pastors; fabulous lay leaders and union activists; and the new emerging small business owners, parents, educators, immigrants and youth leaders that are now being organized inside of GBIO. And, of course, our talented team of organizers – the best in the country! 
 

As you read this letter, please know that you are among this wonderful list of leaders that have enriched my life beyond what I could have imagined. Thank you!
 

The presence of GBIO in Boston and in our Commonwealth has helped to fulfill the promise of scripture for thousands – “Weeping may endure for the night, but Joy comes in the morning!” My brothers and sisters – keep working to be “answered prayers” of hope, justice and power for the many! Keep building power, expanding relationships, and working together to bring in “the joyful morning.” 

“God is always in the details!”

Rev. Hurmon Hamilton, President

Greater Boston Interfaith Organization