Now it’s time…to say goodbye…to all our company…again…
If you missed last Sunday’s worship (4/24) you may not have heard but the Bishop and Cabinet are appointing me to a new church. If this sounds like a flashback, it is. In an unusual circumstance, my appointment to Wesley UMC did not work out and instead I will be appointed to Evergreen Valley UMC, also in San Jose but on the East Side. My appointment begins July 1 so until that time, I will still be your pastor and will still be journeying with you in faith.
If you’re unfamiliar with the process in the UMC, a pastor is only guaranteed to serve a particular church from year-to-year. BMUC was fortunate to have been under the leadership of Rev. Naomi for so long, but typically a pastor is at a church for four to six years before moving on. We serve at the will of the Bishop who, along with the Cabinet, takes into account each pastor and each church’s situation and tries to match a pastor’s gifts with a church’s need.
As of July 1st, you will be under the care of Pastor Pam Kurtz who has been leading our church at Lake Merritt. She is an innovative and fiery spirit with a love of God and people. She always strives to do what is right and has a vocal and straight-forward style. I hope you will do your best to get to know her and openly share your thoughts, cares, and concerns with her so she can get to know you and better serve you.
Thank you to everyone who has been praying for me and my family as my chronic kidney disease has progressed. It’s been challenging at times and uncertain, but I’ve been so encouraged by all of the prayers and thoughtfulness of our folks. I’m happy to tell you that Cassie and I have been approved for the transplant surgery! We are set to have it on May 4th which just seems so appropriate for a Star Wars fan like me. There’s just one hitch. The Stanford nurses are set to go on strike on Monday 4/25 – only a few days away as I write this. If they do, our surgery will be postponed until the strike is over. We’re praying it doesn’t come to this, especially since our healthcare workers have and are going through so much during the pandemic. So please keep us in prayer during this time. We’re so close to the finish line!
I’m very much looking forward to May 1st! It’s our Kids’ Day celebration and while we don’t have as many kids as we used to, each one is just as important (for me, even more so as this is the year our daughter Emma graduates from high school). We will celebrate our graduates, but just as important we will celebrate our kids young and old(er) as we reflect on what it means to be the church for our children. I hope you’ll join us either in person or online for this fun and special Sunday.
This is my penultimate newsletter. I thought it would be better in this second-to-last note from me to go over the nuts and bolts so I could save the last one for the sentimental stuff. As is our tradition, I won’t be making contact with the church for one year beginning July 1st. That’s not only to help me focus in my new place, but to give Pastor Pam a chance to get to know you and for you to rely on each other. As much as I would like, I won’t be doing any funerals or weddings or baptisms for a year, and even afterward only with Pastor Pam’s blessing. You are welcome to follow me on Facebook or Instagram, but again I won’t be responding during this 1st year for both Pastor Pam and for all of you. But know you are in my prayers and I hope this next adventure in your journey of faith is fulfilling and exciting!
See you next month.
Again. It has been an honor and a privilege to be your pastor.
M-I-C – See you real soon – K-E-Y – Why? Because we like you! M-O-U-S-E
Peace in Christ,
Rev. Craig