Am I excited for my next church?
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
Many of you have lovingly asked me about my feelings during this time of transition, and my answers have been all over the map! Our ministry together has been such that I am mostly feeling very thoughtful. When God called me to this church, it was an answer to a big question–“Was I right, God, in thinking you were calling me to be a Pastor?” I had experienced a few setbacks and challenges on my journey through seminary and the candidacy process. I was stuck, and I spent nearly a year in the wilderness, thinking no church or conference had a place for me. Then I met you, as a stranger with no history here, and in realizing who you are I came out of the wilderness and entered homeland.
I have been in the formal process of becoming an ordained pastor since 2006. This process was on hold during my wilderness time, and my experience in this congregation and district has been so fulfilling that I thought I would leave it on hold indefinitely. But these words from the Discipline challenged that thinking: Ordination to this ministry is a gift from God to the church… The covenant of ordained ministry is a lifetime commitment, and those who enter into it dedicate their whole lives to the personal and spiritual disciplines it requires. You have given me so many gifts, and it helps me to think that if my journey culminates in ordination, it will be a thank-you gift back to you. In ministry with you I have already been striving to
dedicate my whole life to my commitment to serve God and the disciplines that requires, which is why, when God called me to another congregation, I knew I needed to follow.
I have been so blessed by this congregation’s history, faith, and vitality. I am passing each of these days thinking of each of you, how we met, what we’ve done, and my hopes for where you are headed. You will always represent to me the renewal of my call, my homeland.
Thank you.
Pastor Lourey Savick
Pastor Farewell
This coming Sunday will be Pastor Lourey’s final worship service at PUMC.
Please join us to celebrate Pastor Lourey and enjoy a special coffee hour following our worship sermon Sunday June 12th at 10 am.
God be with you till we meet again;
By his counsels guide, uphold you;
With his sheep securely fold you.
God be with you till we meet again.
