On my appointive assessment this past year, I indicated to the Bishop and Cabinet that I was ready for a move. (I thought it best for both you and for me). June 30 will be the last day that I have pastoral responsibility for Abilene First UMC. July 1 will be the first day of my appointment at College Avenue UMC in Manhattan. I will be serving full time there and so I will not be coming back to Abilene to serve in any pastoral role. (Rev. Mik King told me I was welcome to come back for funeral sermons, but I said no because I strongly believe that all my professional time should be rendered to the church to which I am appointed.) I will no longer be your pastor, but Jenny and I hope to remain your friends.

Those of you who met Mik this past Sunday have a sense of how capable and compassionate she is. You’ll be in good hands. Funerals and weddings are services that bind a congregation and a new pastor together and I want your relationship with Mik to be as strong as possible.