This is a difficult article to write. It is my last one as your Transitional Senior Minister. At the congregational meeting Sunday evening you chose to call Rev. Carolyn Bullard to be your new Senior Minister. She will assume her duties as of March 1, 2010. I encourage you to give her your support and love.

My tenure as your minister has been both rewarding and enjoyable. Don’t get me wrong, there has also been rough places. The water line break in the Gathering consumed 2 1/2 months of my seven months. We now have a beautiful area to be enjoyed for many years to come. We did accomplish some things, but feel we could have done more. I feel we kept the church focused which was my major charge. There was business that needed to be taken care of that some lingered for the full seven months. And it still has not been completed. I believe Hurst Christian Church can accomplish most anything it wants to, but you have to work to make things work. My observation is we do not have a sense of direction and don’t quite know where it is we want go. Without a Mission Statement to guide us, we just remain stymid. This is some of my observations for the past seven months.

You have been a loving, caring congregation to me. I appreciate all that you did for Jeff and me. You made our ministry very enjoyable. But now things have to change. Having been called to the Transitional Senior Ministers position, I now must follow the guide lines set forth by the Christian Church Disciples of Christ. After Sunday, February 28, I will no longer be involved in the life of Hurst Christian Church. I must absent myself for up to a year, at least six months. This is to give your new minister the opportunity to establish her ministry and bond with the congregation. If I remain on the scene, you will come to me and not work with her. Sooo, the bottom line is, do not call me, because I just have to tell you NO. My membership will remain at Hurst, but I will not be attending services there and will not be involved in any manner of life of the congregation.

I wish you well, and God’s blessing as you join the adventure together with your pastor. I my heart and love will always be with you.

Grace and Peace,

Jay