<letter sent to the congregation in November>
Dear Friends,
I am writing you with some news I prefer to deliver in person. Since that’s not possible, this letter will have to do. After much discernment, I have decided not to renew the Stated Supply agreement for another year. I want you to know that I love the people of the Yellow Springs church and in the community. You have been very good to me and my family. You are kind and good people with a terrific sense of humor. You are committed to living out God’s love in the community, always looking for ways the church can connect.
The match here between the congregation and pastor is a good one. Our view of life and the work of the church are compatible and I have enjoyed being around you at church, in your homes and in the community. A pastor is fortunate to enjoy such a good relationship with their church.
My decision has to do with distance. The drive I make three days a week from Piqua to Yellow Springs is about 92 miles round trip. The work here is good but the time and distance make for a difficult part-time arrangement. I feel rooted neither in Piqua nor Yellow Springs. I was surely aware of these challenges when I accepted your call, and I believe we gave it our best efforts this year.
During my time of discernment, I received a call from the director of the YMCA in Piqua. I had not applied for the job, but the Director said my name came up in their search for a Director for the Youth Center. I have accepted this position to begin working full-time in January. This is a good opportunity that permits my family to remain in Piqua and, for the first time in our marriage, to worship together and be rooted in the same church and community. I will be involved in some teaching and possibly preaching on occasion at the Westminster Presbyterian Church in Piqua but not engaged in full-time parish ministry.
The Session has already begun the process of securing temporary pastoral leadership following my departure. This leadership in the near term will permit the Session to engage in the search for a longer term pastoral relationship.
In closing, I want to thank you for your friendship, and for welcoming my pastoral ministry among you. I treasure the year we spent together and I will never forget you. I am sorry we will not have more time together, but this church will carry on. As the Apostle Paul wrote, “I thank God every time I remember you. In my prayers for all of you, I pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now; being confident of this, that the One who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Please keep me in your prayers, as you will be in mine.
Grace and peace,
Pastor Joe
