My beloved Mt. Tam Church, Last week brought a most extraordinary gift—a full rainbow, bright with all the colors, clear from one end to another, outside the parsonage backyard. Only briefly did it stay. Yet, for those few seconds (video above) we were transfixed by the wonder and beauty it brought to our day. Just as the rainbow was fading, a red-tail hawk swooped down into the trees just within our sight then rocketed away. What a gift! If Lindy and I had not been looking up and out, we might have missed the show. Which points out a deep truth: sometimes you have to seek the rainbow. By now you know that I will be retiring from the appointed ministry on July 1st, 2021. July 1st is the “new years day” of the movement for United Methodist pastors. With rare exceptions, that is when all pastors begin a new year of ministry, whether remaining in their current congregation or moving to a new location.
I guess you could say I have been your pastor for one year, eleven times! For many of you, this will be a first—the appointment of a next pastor. For long-term Methodists, this might be old hat. For all of us, here is a brief explanation of the process: In the United Methodist Church, pastors are not called (employed) by individual churches. Rather, we have an appointment system, where the Bishop (Bishop Minerva Carcaño) sends pastors, working with District Superintendents (in our case, Bay District Superintendent Rev. Staci Current) to discern and select what the Bishop and D.S. feel are a good match for a congregation. When they settle on the person, they believe will serve the church next (let’s call him/her “Pastor Chris”), then the Bishop and/or D.S. will let Pastor Chris know that they would like him/her to move to Mt. Tam Church and serve there beginning July 1.
Let’s say Pastor Chris says, “Groovy! Let’s go!” Then our Staff-Parish Relations Committee (SPRC) chairperson, Ann Mary Belek, will get a call from the D.S. to schedule a SPRC meeting to meet with the incoming candidate. This year, that will probably be a virtual meeting. The SPRC meets Pastor Chris and has an in-take conversation with her/him. Most likely, the Committee will think Pastor Chris is a perfect match and say, “YES!” to the next pastor.
However, if the SPRC has questions or concerns, they can ask for time to respond and speak with the D.S. about any issues. When the SPRC, the D.S. and Pastor Chris agree that Pastor Chris is moving to Mill Valley in July, then the new appointment will be announced in worship and through a letter by Ann Mary.
By now, you are thinking, “She said a brief explanation.” My sisters and brothers, that is brief! And it’s very important that we all understand the process. The key committee here is the SPRC. You are welcome to speak with any SPRC member about your questions, visions, and ideas for the next pastor. SPRC members include Ann Mary, Nicole Collman, Chris Hubbard, Franck Tchekado, Joanna Beck, Karen Jernstedt, Sue Ernst, Kim Larson, and Audrey Levernier. You are welcome to speak to me about information and issues. However, I am not a direct part of the process for appointing the next pastor.
And I’m still your pastor until June 30th! I love this congregation beyond what words can say—this has been a marvelous eleven years of serving God with you. I am leaving because Lindy and I are ready to retire and start the next great adventure of our lives. I am so grateful that we have been together in this time, always seeking the rainbows even in the worst of storms. For that is where we look—to the rainbows, the sign of the eternal presence of God who is always with us.
Peace,
Pastor Kim
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