Farewell From Pastor John

Sisters and brothers,

Our family knew this was going to be a year of excitement and change. But we did not anticipate that part of that change would mean saying goodbye to Kelsey. As our day-to-day ministry together comes to an end, let me tell you how grateful I am to know you all. Kelsey Memorial will always hold a special place in our hearts.

Eleven years ago, I had no idea how deeply I would connect with this congregation. When talking about itinerant ministry, I always say, "This is just what we do." And it is what I do as a United Methodist pastor. Moving is part of the calling. But knowing something is part of the calling does not make it easy, especially after you have walked alongside each other for so long.

So, thank you for being a blessing to my family and me. You all helped raise the Fletchermints, and I think Kelsey will always be home to them. Just think, by the end of the year, all three will be married. You were there for Brittani and Ashlei as they graduated from high school and college. You have been an encouraging support for Nathan as well, especially when he joined the Air Force. And can you believe Gloria and I are about to become grandparents!

Also, and you don't know how grateful I am to say this, I will always be able to testify that I beat cancer with an awesome God, a loving family, a great medical team, and a wonderful church.

Thank you for trusting me to be your pastor. For confiding in me and allowing me to pray with you through the joys and pains of life. Thank you for inviting me into your homes and for allowing me to share many moments with your family. For your patience with my leadership and your willingness to move in faith to try new things.

Thank you for supporting our ministry at Kelsey. We have been through a lot together. God surely took care of us through the pandemic and through the disaffiliation process that hurt our denomination. And you kept praying, you kept showing up, you kept giving. The Lord has surely walked with us through difficult and trying times.

And thank you for the parsonage. It has been our home. Gloria and I watched our children grow up in that house. We welcomed many of you, and our extended family always knew they had a place to visit in Corpus Christi, too.

In the last few weeks, I have heard several people mention the plunger. I preached with a plunger my first Sunday at Kelsey. I imagine many of you thought, "What are we in for?" That was my way of saying that ministry belongs to us all. I was going to ask you to serve, sometimes in new and challenging ways. No matter what, though, I was going to be right alongside you as you did. And we have definitely served together.

As I reflect on our time at Kelsey, I am confident that we have grown. I have grown as a preacher and pastor. I have grown in my faith and trust in Jesus as well. And I hope you can say the same about your walk with the Lord, and also see how that is true for others in our church.

Gloria and I will continue to pray for you. We look forward to hearing the ways your ministry continues to bless Corpus Christi. I will always be grateful to be one of those called to serve you. And, whether you keep the vision statement or not, keep being the kind of church you have been. By who you are, by the way you serve, and through the love you have for Jesus, keep making Kelsey known as a loving church so God can be known as a loving God.

And now:

The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.

Stay blessed...john