Peace I leave with you
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.” (John 14:27)
By now you have heard the news that I have announced that I am ending my contract with Beautiful Savior at the end of November. I am grieving the thought of leaving you. This is not a decision that I have made lightly. I have loved being a part of this congregation this past year. I have found you to be warm and a welcoming grace-filled congregational family. Thank you for loving me and accepting me into this church family! “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.
My ministry here has been one of growth and a wonderful experience. My original contract as your interim pastor was for a year up to 18 months beginning November 1, 2024. Today, a year later, we have everything in place for your Call Committee to now be searching for your next pastor. My last Sunday with you will be on November 16th.
Immediately following my last Sunday with you I have to take some time to deal with my health and prepare for the next gigantic moves in my life. First, I will be having left knee replacement on November 21st along with the recovery and rehabilitation that goes along with that. Then, in December I will be moving to the community of Poway, California as I have accepted a Pastoral position to serve Incarnation Lutheran Church. I officially start there in January. It will be good to be close to my family once again.
In this year together, we have laid a strong foundation for your future, and I believe God is doing something powerful through all of you. I have been blessed to serve you and Christ as part of an incredibly gifted ministry team that includes a generous, hard-working, and grace-filled Church Council and many dedicated lay leaders.
I give thanks for your courage to try new things and pray you will continue to follow Jesus with bold faith and trust in God’s leading.
Peace of the Lord be with you always!
Pastor Tony