Pastor Susumu Ando

Sunday June 14 is Pastor Ando’s last worship service. Fellowship Hour after the service will be a time for honoring him, celebrating his 17-year ministry here, saying goodbye and wishing him well.

Pastor Hal Low

Rev. Hal Low becomes our pastor as of July 1. He will move into the parsonage that day, lead his first worship service on July 5, and be officially welcomed by the congregation with a special Fellowship Hour after the service.

Also, in September Patti Gordon will leave as the church’s Administrative Assistant.

Change is not always bad. Sometimes it makes way for something better. Pastor Ando is answering a call from God to do something different. He is excited to be pursuing his passion for saving the planet. Should we not celebrate with him and share his excitement?

Patti also is answering God’s call to devote more time to the spiritual direction ministry which she has done part-time in her home for 12 years. Pastor Hal is somewhat young in his ministry, and very enthusiastic to serve a congregation with active ministries, the desire and energy for growth.

When we can’t stop changes, we must accept them. We have to trust that God is in control. He may be changing the situation for us to grow and make a change in ourselves. We can hold onto the knowledge that God does not change. He is with us.

He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken. Psalms 62:6.

A time of change is a time for prayer. Pray for a smooth and joyful transition. Pray daily for our church and congregation. Pray for Pastor Ando as he moves into a future with a lot of unknowns. Pray for Pastor Hal and his son Taylor as they move to a new home, new church, new community.

We respect the prayerful process through which our Bishop and Cabinet discerned God’s will to send Pastor Hal to us. Let’s open our hearts and decide to love him as God’s servant-leader.

Patti’s departure as administrative assistant and our welcoming of a new assistant is several months away, but we can prepare for it in the same way. Pray, share with her your regard, love, and grief. Leave nothing unsaid. Possibly she will be continuing the new part of her position—meeting individually with members of our church family for prayer, healing, and deepening their relationship with God. This decision will be made in August.