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Dear Church Family, As you have heard by now, we are going to have a pastoral change in June. This appointment process is the United Methodist way, and I trust that God will use this transition for good, both in the life of our congregation and in my continuing ministry. As a United Methodist pastor, I am part of the itinerant appointment system, and I fully accept, respect and affirm this method of deploying clergy. When I became a United Methodist clergy person, I took an oath to go and serve where I am sent by the Bishop. I will honor that promise with a grateful heart for the privilege of serving at BUMC, with an optimistic heart about my next appointment, and with full confidence in the future of BUMC. I want to thank all of you who have sent messages of support to me over the past couple of days. Your overwhelming expressions of appreciation have deeply moved me. I know many of you have questions and concerns about this transition. Our Staff Parish Chair and Lay Leader will be sharing more information about this in the days to come. And, our new Bishop will be preaching at all three Sunday services on February 24th. I hope you will be here to meet him on that important day. If you want to contact one of our church leaders about this transition, you can email Susan Graham, our Lay Leader, at churchcouncil@bumc.net. It has been my privilege to be in ministry with you. Our time together resulted in some encouraging and positive progress. A few examples follow.
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We increased in giving and attendance We received many new members We watched our extremely capable staff become more unified and aligned We developed a more efficient and strategic system of church governance We clarified our values, mission and vision, setting the foundational infrastructure and capacity for a more fruitful future We initiated a process of building strong ministry teams in alignment with the mission of the church that will have a profound impact on BUMC in the years ahead We made significant strides at our campus at Spring Hill, securing a permanent location, and purchasing prime property for future development We put in place many exceptional leaders, both staff and lay, including our new Executive Director (my best decision since arrival)
In short, a good foundation has been laid for the next chapter at Brentwood United Methodist Church. My greatest prayer is that in the months and years ahead, BUMC will fully live out our vision, "Living like Jesus, bringing Joy to God." I will continue to serve through Easter, at which time I'll take a brief transitional leave before my next appointment in June. It has been and continues to be a privilege to serve as your pastor. I hope to see you Wednesday night for our Ash Wednesday service at 6:30 and again this weekend as we begin observing the sacred season of Lent. Finally, it was good to receive the following eight new members: Harrison Greenleaf; Jack Grimes; Scarlet Lampley; and Andy, Kim, Abbey, Wyatt and Jacob Fong. Welcome to our church family. In Christ's Love and Service,
Martin