It needs to be said and it does not feel like nearly enough.
But I thank you all for:
- The astonishing openness and attention of your hearts to preaching, worship, the world around you, the leading of God, and each other.
- Giving me the astonishing privilege of standing with you through the joys and heartaches of life.
- For giving, your money, your time, your energy and creativity, attention to each other, and your heart to God so that ministry could happen in this place.
- Everyone who served with me on the paid staff and in leadership. You were open, honest, and so faithful in all we did together.
- Everyone who stepped forward into new moments in their lives and to respond to God’s calling.
- Pastora Lourdes and the whole Hispanic Community of Butler UMC for your welcome and for making me better because of who you are.
- Everyone who traveled and worked to make this world a little bit of a better place through mission trips and events here in Butler.
- I am thankful for the gifted, Jesus-loving, and warm-hearted person Pastor Iraida is. I truly believe that God has matched you with the right person to be your next pastor.
- For the picnic, the gifts (amazing!), the stories, the thank yous, and the appreciation so freely given in the last few weeks we spent together – it humbled me to the ground and I will never forget it.
Finally, I give thanks to God, Creator, Redeemer, and Holy Spirit; who brought us together. I told you all at my retirement announcement that when I am sitting in a Nursing home and I have a smile on my face – it will probably be a memory or a thanksgiving for you.
God Bless you, I will pray for you often, my love for all of you is forever.
Shalom,
Pastor Mike
Former Pastor Butler UMC