Dear friends and members of Emmanuel Presbyterian Church,

As you will read in this newsletter, the Pastor Nominating Committee has selected a candidate to present for election as your next installed pastor. A special congregational meeting has been called for that purpose on Sunday, December 8, after worship. That means that it is nearly time for me to say goodbye.

It has been a privilege and a pleasure to serve as your transitional pastor over these last many months – longer than many of us were anticipating! Your faithful and hardworking PNC deserves your gratitude.

I am personally grateful to many here. I want to thank the session for their partnership and good work. Thanks especially to Susan Sprague, who has not only served as Clerk of Session, but also provided administrative support during this time. I’m grateful, too, to those who have given of their time and shared their abilities in enabling and enhancing our worship. Emmanuel is gifted with many talented and dedicated musicians, and worship is enabled by volunteer sound technicians. There are many others I could thank, of course, but won’t out of concern for leaving any out.

As you move forward into this next chapter of your life as a congregation, I will move on as well. While I’ve appreciated the relationships formed here, the ethics of this position require that I step aside fully to allow your new pastor to establish his pastoral role here. So, like all your previous pastors, I won’t be available for memorial services, weddings, baptisms or any other pastoral role or involvement. And, I won’t be in touch with you, not out of lack of interest or concern, but out of professional courtesy to Patrick, and for the sake of your common ministry.

Finally, I want to thank you for welcoming both Keith and me into your fellowship so warmly during our time here. We leave with much fondness and appreciation.

With Christ’s love,
Pastor Janet