November 14, 2005

Dear Friends,

 

            When I left my first parish ministry position in June 1989, I thought I was closing the door on such work forever.   I was sure being in a committed relationship with Peter and receiving a call to serve a church were mutually exclusive.  You proved me wrong.   As long as God graces me with memory I will never forget Sunday, June 12, 1994, when you said ‘Yes’ to us. 

 

            For more than 11 years, you and the grace-filled spirit of the United Church of Christ have given me the chance to be your pastor.   Now I hear God calling me out on a new path.  So I am resigning my position as pastor.  My last day here will be January 22, 2006.   Peter will continue his ministry with youth and their families.  In this time of change, I am grateful Peter’s and my love for each other is stronger than ever.

 

             This decision has not been easy or quick.  You have worked your way into my heart.  There is much about parish ministry that I love.  This past fall, a first-time visitor left worship with tears in his eyes saying, “I didn’t know a church like this existed anywhere.”  That is the kind of place this is.  

 

            At the same time I have confidence my decision to leave is a faithful one.  In recent years I have undergone a slow and steady process of change. These movements of God’s Spirit convince me She is leading me out on some new road.  My first step on this new road will be to attend a Spanish immersion program in Mexico or Central America.

 

            To be called out of a place where I have found such goodness is scary and hard.   But I have faith that when God calls us out, the living Jesus walks with us and leads us where we can best be his disciples in whatever new dreams God has for us.  

 

             I can never thank you enough for the past 11 years.  I will always be grateful for your love and the love you have called out of me, for your courage, your questioning faith, and for colleagues who are so committed to serving you and the God in whose name you gather.

 

            I will continue to pray for you.  And I ask you, please, to continue to pray for me.

 

                                                                                                            Blessings,

 

 

                                                                                                            Dave Shull

                                                                                                            Pastor