Wow! What a roller coaster ride this past couple of weeks has been. By now, you (or most of you) know that we received a call from our district superintendent who relayed to us that we will be making a move the end of June. I was told on the 27th to be prepared to receive a phone call on February 28 with more details. After waiting with nervous stomachs that day we received the call. After some pleasantries I was told that the cabinet (Bishop and DS's) had discerned a change of location for us and requested we pray about a relocation to Mulvane UMC. We were to let them know by Tuesday evening. After a few sleepless nights, prayer, several tums and more prayer, we returned the call on Tuesday. We were then told that we were to have an introductory meeting on Saturday morning with their PPRC committee (the committee responsible for staff and congregation). The roller coaster ride really kicked in - up and down, round and around - tums and dramamine needed.
Friday came - we drove to Newton and stayed with ML's sister and then on to Mulvane the next morning for the meeting. In the meantime, our PPRC committee was called to have a meeting with our DS for a "consultation" meeting - "what if" scenarios. So needless to say, they knew something was up. More dramamine needed. We met with the Mulvane PPRC and it was a wonderful meeting - very informative and productive. There were no red flags on our part nor were there any on their part and as a result we will be making the move to Mulvane at the end of June. We then toured the parsonage (ML is pleased) and returned home that afternoon/evening.
That then left us with the gut wrenching task of making the announcement to the church on Sunday morning. Thankfully, God blessed us with his presence and it was a good time of worship (not that anyone remembers). We participated in holy communion which left nothing at the end of the service but to make the announcement. I almost made it through without having to regroup. But I make no apologies for the emotion because it identifies a strong tie between us and the people of Leoti. That will never change. What will change is the pastor and style of leadership and that's okay. God uses us all in a variety of ways. What will not change is God's unending love, mercy, grace, and presence in the midst of his people.
So - we have 4 months to go. And yes, there will be days where we go up and down and all around. But be assured - God will be riding with us all - all the way!
4 comments:
As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. We have been blessed to be able to serve the Lord with you and ML, and we will serve the Lord with whoever comes to be our next preacher. God bless you and ML for all the love and guidence these past what is it eight years. With a few months to go. M
Kudos Rick!
8 years at one place is amazing! We've moved 3x since 2001 but hope to be here for longer than 4 years.
Blessings to you and ML in your move!
Lance
I am sure you be back for the fair to run the food booth right???
The Car Guy
Rick & Mary Lou - we LOVE you. You will always have a special place in our hearts (our being us personally, our church, our church family, and our community). They say you don't know what you have until it is gone. We know what we have and that is why it as so hard for everyone. You have blessed us in so many ways. Thank you does not do JUSTice but THANK YOU. We would love to be selfish and never let you go but congrats on the opportunity to move on and do great things with another church and congrats on getting to be closer to your family and grand kids. You and ML both deserve that very much and so does your family. Right now it is hard for us to juxtapose church with you and and without you but it will behoove us to use the tools you have equipped us with to continue the growth of the church the way that you have. (Don't know where that came from) PR & ML Thank you very much, we love you both, and GOD BLESS YOU
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