NOT AN EASY THING TO DO!!!!

It has never been easy for me to say good-bye to the congregations I have served. St. Luke’s  is no exception. As many of you have heard, I have taken a new position at Zion (Blue Mountain) United  Church of Christ, Strausstown, Pennsylvania. Strausstown is right off Interstate 78, 10 minutes south of  Hamburg. I am not new to Zion, Sharon was their pastor from 2008 to 2013. It is a half-time position and my primary reason for taking this position is the commute from Womelsdorf to Trappe. The trip was starting  to wear on me. Zion is only 13 miles from our home.

I hope you know how much I enjoyed serving you as your interim minister. You are good  people and so appreciative of my ministry among you. I believe that you have a future and when you find a  settled pastor you will blossom. I do not know who that person is but God does. Your search committee is  hard at work finishing your profile. I believe once it is in circulation you will find interested candidates. I  encourage you to take your time and find someone who has the capacity to love you as I have loved you.

You have a lot going for you. I know your leadership base has dwindled but the leaders  serving the church are committed Christian eager to serve the Lord. You are also blessed with a healthy  endowment which, if used faithfully, will sustain you for a very long time.

My last Sunday is May 28, Pentecost Sunday. What a perfect Sunday to bid you  farewell. Both you and I will avail ourselves to the life giving breath of God as it blows across our spirits  preparing us to do a new thing. I will always hold you in my prayers and I will remain a constant cheerleader  as I pray for you daily. That will be my commitment to you.

Thank you for your kindness and love.
Pastor Pat