Dear Friends,
As we say our goodbyes to our pastor and friend Rev. John Ball, we give thanks to God for the four years that he and Cyndi, Dylan and Braeden have been with us. We pray that their lives in their new church and home will be blessed.
In the United Methodist Church our pastors are “appointed” by an area bishop. Bishop Deborah Keisey, who serves the Michigan area, appointed Pastor John to serve at Lake Orion United Methodist Church beginning July 1, 2013.
In some churches when a pastor leaves, the congregation forms a search committee and begins looking for a clergy member to fill the vacancy. It is different in this denomination. In the United Methodist Church, the bishop assesses the gifts and graces of each pastor and assigns them to churches as positions become available.
When a clergy person retired in Lake Orion, the Bishop determined that Pastor John would bring effective leadership and ministry to that congregation. After it was announced that John would be moving, the Bishop and her advisers consulted with the Staff-Parish Relations Committee (our personnel committee) and appointed Rev. Paul Hahm. He currently serves at First United Methodist Church of Wayne/Westland and will begin at Brighton on July 1.
Our denomination has a “connectional system”. While we may serve the Lord in different churches, we work together, connected by our heritage, our faith practices, our heart for social justice and our clergy.
I encourage you to join me in prayer during this time of transition for our clergy, for our church and for our sister congregations in Lake Orion and Wayne/Westland.
Blessings,
Pastor Sherry
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