FROM THE PASTOR …

9/28/2022

Dear church family,

Darby and I are so grateful to each and every one of you for your participation in the beautiful retirement luncheon on
September 18. To the deacons who so lovingly planned and hosted it, to those who were involved in preparing and serving the meal, to the team who decorated the fellowship hall, to all those who stood up to share stories of our ministry together and/or expressed your love in cards and notes, and to every-one who contributed to the extremely generous love gift—we thank you from the bottom of our hearts!

God bless you!

Pastor Ken

7/28/2022

Dear church family, Thank you so much for the warmth and love that I felt surrounding me, Darby, and our family as I preached at our worship service on July 24th. Your many expressions of support were so greatly appreciated.

As I transition into this period of medical leave, I am grateful to the Lord for all of you.

God bless you!

Pastor Ken

7/9/2022

Dear church family,
As you know, I was diagnosed with ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease) in February of 2020. Since then, it has been my blessing and privilege to continue serving as your Pastor despite my increasing physical difficulties and the weakness and fatigue that come with this disease.

However, after much consideration and in consultation with my doctor, Darby and I believe it is time for me to step away from working and take care of my health, so I will be taking a Medical Leave of Absence beginning Monday, July 25, 2022. We anticipate that the leave of absence will run for three months, during which time we will be working on getting the necessary approvals for long-term disability.

We have already discussed this with the church leadership, and the Search Committee is exploring options for bringing in an interim pastor. I know you will be in good hands and that God will lead all of us in these decisions.

Going forward, Darby and I hope to continue worshipping with you on a regular basis, and Darby to continue working part-time for the church, at least as long as these arrangements seem appropriate to our needs and those of the church.

Please know that I am deeply grateful for your prayers, your love, your gifts, and the many ways members of this congregation have helped us. You have shown us extraordinary grace through this difficult period, and we thank you all.

God bless you!
Pastor Ken