Bittersweet Endings and New Beginnings

“Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end.” – Seneca

As reflected in this quote attributed to the philosopher Seneca, new
beginnings come from bittersweet endings – sadness in departing a beloved
relationship while celebrating the joy of memories together and the
promise of new beginnings and new possibilities. It has been a joy and a privilege to serve as your pastor for these past eight years. I’m deeply grateful for the
opportunity we’ve had to worship, pray, fellowship, and serve together. Yet, I have sensed
God’s call to move to a new area and take up a new ministry call.
As you have all heard by now, I have accepted a call to be the pastor at Providence
Presbyterian Church in Altoona, PA. I will be departing HoC in late August and beginning
this new call in September. Please see this edition of the newsletter for important information
about my last Sunday and last in-person working day here at HoC, as well as other details
about the transition process.
Over the past year, I have sensed God calling me to return to my roots in Western
Pennsylvania. My mother has had some recent health problems requiring more care and
support. I am also feeling led to nurture more deeply relationships with friends and extended
family in the area. God opened the door for me to use my ministry gifts to serve this new
congregation in an area geographically closer to these important relationships.
As you know, I made a commitment to remain here at HoC for at least one year
following my sabbatical, which concluded on July 24, 2023. By the time I depart HoC, I will
have fulfilled that commitment. I’m grateful that you gave me that sabbatical time to travel,
rest, and discern God’s direction for this next chapter of my life and ministry in Western PA.
I trust that God is already at work within this congregation to faithfully guide
you in the next chapter of your ministry. I am praying for your next pastor, that God
will bring you the right individual with the wisdom, gifts, and leadership to shepherd
you into this next phase of your ministry together. I am also praying for the session,
commissions, and staff as they support and guide you in this transition time. I trust
that God has good things in store for this congregation and that God will bring them
about in his timing.
I close this letter with the words of the Apostle Paul in Philippians 1:3-11, “I
thank my God for every remembrance of you, always in every one of my prayers for
all of you, praying with joy for your partnership in the gospel…I am confident of this,
that the one who began a good work in you will continue to complete it until the day
of Jesus Christ…And this is my prayer, that your love may overflow more and more
with knowledge and full insight to help you to determine what really matters, so that
in the day of Christ you may be pure and blameless, having produced the harvest of
righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ for the glory and praise of God.”