A FAREWELL FROM: SEAN BUTLER, WARDEN

Fr. Duncan has served St. John’s admirably for nearly 11 years as Rector. In his tenure as rector, he has significantly improved the financial position of St. John’s. With his faithful leadership along with a strong finance committee, we are more financially secure than ever before.

He has been a wonderful steward of the building, often making sure the sidewalks are cleared after a snowfall, conserving the energy of the building, and wiping down the floors in a flooded basement after a rainstorm.

Fr. Duncan epitomizes St. John’s Mission of "To Know Christ and to Make Him Known” through his passion for heading several of our ministries; most notably, the HIHi initiative welcoming and feeding the homeless at our church along with purchasing food vouchers to area food chains. He is a true advocate for marginalized and vulnerable people.

He has led several mission trips to Puerto Rico and other places, spreading love, compassion and the word of Christ by helping communities in both urban and rural areas. He has faithfully led the efforts of our community garden which feeds countless individuals who have food insecurity. He demonstrates compassion and love while providing visitations to our sick parishioners at their home or the hospital as he is often called to perform the last rites.

His steady and prayerful leadership during the pandemic helped guide us through a most difficult and unprecedented time in our lives.

On a personal note, he welcomed my husband Mike and I to St. John’s in October 2016 and has been an advocate against hate and prejudice toward the LGBTQ+ community. He has marched in the Long Island Pride Parade, most recently last weekend. I will miss our conversations about the Dodgers and Yankees.

However, it is now time for Fr. Duncan to enjoy the rewards of years of dedication and sacrifice. We hope that he and his wife Barbara may enjoy a most wonderful, fulfilling and long-lasting retirement with their family and friends with a nice tailwind at their back as they sail the calm seas.

-Sean Butler, Warden

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A FAREWELL FROM: RECTOR, REVEREND DUNCAN A. BURNS

When the days drew near for Jesus to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem. And he sent messengers ahead of him. On their way they entered a village of the Samaritans to make ready for him; but they did not receive him, because his face was set toward Jerusalem. When his disciples James and John saw it, they said, "Lord, do you want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them?" But he turned and rebuked them. Then they went on to another village. (Luke 9:51-55)

In Luke’s gospel, the disciples are met with apathy by a group of Samaritans. They reject them because Jesus and the disciples are set on Jerusalem. Samaritans are a religious sect that follows the Pentateuch or first five books of the Bible but places the Holy Temple in Mt. Gerizim instead of Jerusalem. This difference caused prejudice and ill feelings. When the disciples James and John saw that the Samaritans were not accepting Christ, they said, "Lord, do you want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them?" But Jesus turned and rebuked them. Then they went on to another village.

The bombing of Iran reminds me of another war that was started to destroy weapons of mass destruction. In 2003, when the United States felt threatened by Saddam Hussein and his weapons of mass destruction, I was serving as the press secretary’s chaplain. Most of the CIA and national security advisors found no compelling threat in Iraq. At that time three percent of Americans were opposed to invading Iraq. A million lives later and a trillion dollars and now most Americans think it might have been a mistake to reign down fire on the Iraqis. I oppose every war that is not for the preservation of American lives, and I am aware that many of you differ from my perspective. I can only tell you that Jesus offers another choice. Reinhold Niebuhr once said: "Basically love means . . .being responsible, responsible to our family, toward our civilization, and now by the pressures of history, toward the universe of humankind." The Gospel of Jesus allows us to see beyond our own times and through our own biases. Jesus said that we should love our neighbor as ourselves. We have affirmed as a nation that all people are created equal by God. In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus breaks down the biases of Samaritans, Gentiles, Women, Lepers, the sick, and the poor. More importantly if we are careful listeners, the gospel can break down the biases of our own day. We cannot let ourselves think for a moment that we don’t have biases. By now, you all know that I am a pacifist and that I oppose entering another war.  So how can we follow this path of love to our neighbor when we have veered in the past?  

I thank you all from the bottom of my heart for allowing me to serve these past eleven years at St. John's. I’m filled with gratitude for the countless moments we’ve shared in this parish. Together, we’ve celebrated joys—baptisms, weddings, and countless services where we’ve encountered God’s grace. We’ve also walked through sorrows, leaning on each other and on God’s strength. You’ve welcomed me into your lives, shared your stories, and allowed me to serve as your priest. That trust has been the greatest privilege of my life. Your generosity, your time, prayers, and support—has sustained me through every challenge and triumph. Whether it was a kind word at coffee hour, a helping hand at a parish event, or your faithful presence in the pews, you’ve made this community a true home. As I step into retirement, I carry with me memories of your faces, your faith, and the ways you’ve shown Christ’s love. I ask for your continued prayers, as you will always have mine. Though my role is changing, my heart remains with you. I trust that God will continue to guide this parish, bringing new shepherds to lead you with wisdom and grace. May God bless each of you abundantly, and may we always remain united in His love. Thank you, again, for everything.

In Christ's love,

Fr. Duncan