By the time you read this letter, I will have already completed my first week and sermon at First UMC in Red Wing! The people here have been lovely and welcoming, and I am almost settled into my new office. However, I felt the need to write one last letter to express my gratitude and love for all of you, for making the past 16 years on staff at Resurrection an incredible time of support and growth – and love.
So, thank you for the many kindnesses that you have shown to me and my family. For the encouragement, the kind words, the resources you’ve shared, the hugs, the patience, the wisdom, the humor, and of course, the prayers. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – none of it would be possible without all of you! And thank you for the amazing send-off!!! The cards and gifts and party (with cake!), the laughter and the tears – I will truly never forget any of it – you blessed my socks off!!!
And so now, please know I will continue to pray for all of you at Resurrection UMC and the Hastings community. I hope you have some idea of what you mean to me – the joy you have brought me over the years. You’ll certainly see me around occasionally – my husband still works there, after all!
In the meantime, be well! As Paul says in Philippians 1, “Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God. Whenever I pray, I make my requests for all of you with joy, for you have been my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ from the time you first heard it until now. And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. So it is right that I should feel as I do about all of you, for you have a special place in my heart.”
Thank you, my beloved family at Resurrection – thank you for everything!
Peace in Christ,
Pastor Julie