Stu's News- July and August 2008

It is with sadness and excitement that I write to you today.  Yesterday (June 22nd), I preached at North Tonawanda Presbyterian Church in North Tonawanda and the congregation voted, affirmatively, to call me as their next Pastor, on a part-time basis.  As with any call there is a process that I have been involved in for a while.  Now all the details have been observed and the process is complete.  I will begin in the middle of August and be installed early this fall.  I will resign my duties here now and be finished at the end of August.

I am sad about leaving those I have worshipped with, ministered to university students with, and had lots of fun and friendship with.  This sadness is broken by the reality that I am not going miles away and so at shops and presbytery events I will continue to see you.  Know that your support and your friendship as I made the move to Western New York made that transition one of the least difficult moves I have made in my life.

In my bag of memories are the times of worship we shared, the university lunches you made and joined in conversation with, the great discussions at adult education, the music we shared and the good friendships we have lived.  These are in my bag and I shall treasure them for the years ahead.  If this church is like the other churches I have served I am confident that the friendships will continue in the years ahead, too.

I am grateful that I can recommend a great church to the students I will meet on campus.  I will be able to refer students to the manse program and the Sunday lunch program.  As the Ministry with University Students Committee continues, their work will be in my prayers.

Peace, Stu