Dear Church Family,

 

Years ago, one of you asked me what my five-year plan was for my professional life. Without even taking a breath, I burst out laughing. “I don’t get to have a five-year plan,” I responded. “I work for God. I follow the Spirit where and how She leads.”

 

For nearly twenty-five years, the Spirit has continued to call me to pastor here, on the corner of Westwood and LaGrange, joining you in sharing our gifts and resources with our community. Being your pastor has been, will always be, one of the greatest honors of my life. Together, we have shared births, deaths, transitions, triumphs, trials, and everything in between. You let me grow into my ministry here, as you were growing into yours. I am more grateful than I can say for the years and the miles we have traveled together.

 

After a time of prayer and reflection, I have discerned that the Spirit is calling me to a different kind of ministry now. It is time for me to step back from the pulpit, to use my gifts for outreach and justice work, to take on a new challenge, and to set off on an adventure with my daughter. I have been offered a call as Community Minister with a congregation in Kelowna, British Columbia. The congregation is part of the United Church of Canada, with whom the United Church of Christ has a partnership. I know that it will be challenging to step into a new ministry in a new denomination in a new country. But I trust that I am ready and know that God will be with Riley and me.

 

I have been open and honest with our church leadership about my call process. Lay leaders (current and incoming) and key staff have been able to prepare transition plans, related both to continuing the ministry and to calling an interim minister and then the next settled pastor. There is such strong leadership here at Westwood Hills, and you will be well supported by our UCC conference. The work we have done together has planted deep roots, and I know those will continue to grow. No matter where I am or what I’m doing, I will be cheering for you, praying for you, and loving you always.

 

It will take some time for me to conclude my ministry here. Though some transitions will begin sooner, I’m hoping to keep things normal-ish through Easter and then focus solely on transition through the first week of May. I will be in the pulpit and walking alongside you through Mother’s Day, and will take the following six or seven weeks as vacation, while Riley finishes her school year. There will be lots of time for all the things we want to say and share, and I look forward to connecting on Sunday and over the coming weeks.

 

In every letter I have ever written you, I close by offering you “blessings.” I do the same now, for I am grateful for the many blessings we have lived together and all the prayers I say for us going forward. May God walk with us, every step of the way.

 

I love you always.

 

Blessings,

Kirsten