Most of you have heard by now, but just in case you haven’t, I officially offered my letter of Intent to Retire to the Board a few weeks ago. So let me clarify a few things. I’m not leaving immediately, but I did feel that it was time to begin this process. I’m not mad at or upset with the church or anyone, in fact I love you all dearly and this was a hard decision. Jacqueline and I aren’t leaving Carthage, as far as I know anyway. But it is time to retire and step aside when the right person is found. I plan to serve until that happens up to a year. One reason for the announcement now is that decisions have to be made about the parsonage and it wouldn’t be fair for me to be quiet knowing what my plans are. As to our relationship with the church once I do retire, that hasn’t been fully determined yet either. I would love to continue a scaled down involvement, but that depends on the next minister to some degree. As I said I’m not upset with anything or anyone, and so to continue as a member would be possible.
Now to the thankful part. With all the changes going on with retiring from the college and making plans to retire as your pastor, I’ve done a lot of reminiscing and contemplation. I have spent my adult life here. Jacqueline and I have raised our family here and so many of our memories have the church and Carthage as their backdrop. When we were preparing to move from the parsonage, we asked our kids what their favorite memories were of living there were and they had so many great memories that they shared with us. I feel the same looking back on what has already been a 39-year ministry. We truly made Carthage and First Christian Church home. I have counted you all as friends not just members of the congregation. I have shared joys with each of you and sorrows. They say life is what happens while we’re making plans. We never could have seen staying in one place all this time but I thank God all the time that he allowed this.
As you read the rest of the newsletter, you’ll see that not much is changing right away. As we move into the holidays there are programs to be planned, dinners to be cooked and all the usually holiday trimmings. Please plan to be a part of each moment and to commit to supporting our church. There is so much to be thankful for and so much to look forward to.
Don
Now to the thankful part. With all the changes going on with retiring from the college and making plans to retire as your pastor, I’ve done a lot of reminiscing and contemplation. I have spent my adult life here. Jacqueline and I have raised our family here and so many of our memories have the church and Carthage as their backdrop. When we were preparing to move from the parsonage, we asked our kids what their favorite memories were of living there were and they had so many great memories that they shared with us. I feel the same looking back on what has already been a 39-year ministry. We truly made Carthage and First Christian Church home. I have counted you all as friends not just members of the congregation. I have shared joys with each of you and sorrows. They say life is what happens while we’re making plans. We never could have seen staying in one place all this time but I thank God all the time that he allowed this.
As you read the rest of the newsletter, you’ll see that not much is changing right away. As we move into the holidays there are programs to be planned, dinners to be cooked and all the usually holiday trimmings. Please plan to be a part of each moment and to commit to supporting our church. There is so much to be thankful for and so much to look forward to.
Don
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