April 2, 2014 My Dear Sisters and Brothers at Northgate, Grace to you, and Peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ! You are such an awesome congregation, blessed with love and faith, and I count it as among my greatest honors to be called your Pastor. My past three years of ministry among you have been both a joy and a humbling experience for me. You have graced me with so much: your love and acceptance, your willingness to listen and to grow, your patience and your prayers have all been deeply coveted and gratefully received. It has been my privilege to be among you, to call you “my people,” and serve alongside you in the vineyard called Northgate United Methodist Church. I would love to continue with you for years to come, however we are United Methodists and, United Methodists have a shared, sent, apostolic ministry. Your pastors come among you to serve for a period of time, and then move on to serve elsewhere as the Bishop appoints, and you, in turn, receive new pastoral leadership. This was true when Margie moved into a new phase in her life and ministry, and it is true today with me. Effective July 1, 2014, I will be moving to take the position as Senior Pastor of First United Methodist Church in Commerce, Texas; at that time, Northgate UMC will receive a new Pastor. During this time of transition I ask your prayers for Bishop Michael McKee and the Cabinet – and especially your District Superintendent, the Reverend Cammy Gaston – as they pray and work to identify the right Pastor for Northgate. The Pastor-Parish Relations Committee will be in prayer and consultation with Rev. Gaston in order to advise the Bishop and Cabinet as to the qualities and character you are looking for in your future pastor. Please pray for your PPR and for its Chair, Mary Ann Lovell, as they help the Cabinet to discern the future pastoral leadership of Northgate. Over the coming three months, I ask your continued prayers for me. I have deeply felt your prayers over the past three years as I have moved through my ministry among you. I ask for your continued prayers now, as I begin the process of transitioning to a new mission field. As always, my ears, doors, phone, and e-mail are open to you if you wish to talk with me about this, or any other matter relating to the mission and ministry of Northgate UMC. Please feel free to speak with me at any time, about any concern. And know that you have been, and will always be, in my prayers. It has been an honor, joy, and privilege to serve as your pastor these three years. While I will be moving on in ministry and, in a few months, will no longer be your pastor, I will always be your brother in Christ and, indeed, your friend. Grace and Peace, Greg+ Senior Pastor, Northgate United Methodist Church Irving, Texas
Posted on: Thu, 03 Apr 2014 02:32:15 +0000
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