Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

This is a very difficult letter to write. By the time you read this, you are probably aware that the congregation has voted to begin the New Year with a supply (Sunday-only) pastor. Giving has not kept pace with the costs of ministry and the economic downturn significantly reduced the remaining endowment fund.

As much as I would love to continue here at Trinity Lutheran Church, I need to be responsible for paying my bills. I am in the call process and have even had two interviews, but don’t have any immediate prospects for a permanent call. However, I will be serving as a part-time interim pastor at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Warren starting on January 12th. It looks like it will be a lively and interesting congregation, but I can’t imagine that the people could be as loving as you have been here at Trinity.

You have allowed me to be a part of some of the most important events in your lives, both happy and sad. I have valued that trust and responsibility. I will no longer have the privilege or right to serve as your pastor. That responsibility will pass to another as it should and must. Please do not expect or ask me to conduct weddings, funerals, or hospital calls for you. It is not appropriate and I do not wish to offend you when I must say, “No.” Instead, the council president (currently Pam Bauer) will arrange with the Northeastern Ohio Synod for pastoral coverage.

Many of you have become friends as well as parishioners and I look forward to continuing that friendship. Stop to visit, let me know about special events in your life. Know, however, that I cannot and will not comment on items related to Trinity.

I will carry all of you in my heart forever. Relationships never die. They continue as we leave them. My relationships with you have been wonderful. You have nurtured me and encouraged me as a pastor. Whatever growth you have seen in me over the past seven years was made possible by your love. Where I have fallen short, I apologize, and pray that you would extend the grace of God.

Even though our futures are unclear and our paths diverge, I am confident that God continues to walk beside us and ahead of us. God invites us constantly to grow in faith and to become better mirrors reflecting God’s love into the world. I am so thankful that we have had these years to journey together in the service of Christ.

God's blessings to each of you,

Pastor Dee