Pastor's Pondering - April 21, 2023

Dear friends -

If I could have called each of you with the news, I would have. While the Session did a beautiful job putting a letter no one wanted to draft together, I am sure it was hard to read about your pastor's resignation via email on Tuesday.

It has been my honor to serve River Glen for the past five plus years. These have been years of significant transition, most of which we have weathered with an enormous amount of perseverance, flexibility, and grace. And then, just a little over two years as your pastor, we got hit with the pandemic.

And yet, the ministry of River Glen has stayed meaningful and strong. I'm so proud of the many ways the congregation and leadership adapted during the pandemic - moving online for activities, adjusting for over a year to pre-recording worship services and then adjusting again for live-streamed worship, reaching out to check in on others, porch drops and drive through ministries, and so many photos and videos to stay connected. We have weathered these years in amazing ways, which is a testimony to God and to this congregation.

Our Executive Presbyter, Craig Howard, was very positive in our meeting on Monday night: "This is a good church where pastors are going to want to serve." While we grieve the transition, we also celebrate the good work we have done and the good future in store for what is to come.

Grace and peace and much love,

Jess