To the Members and Friends of Brookings First United Methodist Church,
Easter this year saw a wonderful gathering of our congregation. We reflected on the Amazing Marys of the Bible, we paused at the foot of the Cross, and we celebrated our faith in a resurrected Jesus. We continue to believe that God’s Grace holds our church, and our future. This letter is from both Pastor Pete and Mark Stratton – and is sent to promote transparency in the decision making of our church:
Pastor Pete: As you know, I led a mission team to South Africa. This was a time of great blessing both for the Methodist children’s home we worked at and for the team. Since coming back, I have had many people ask me if I have plans to return to my family. The answer is “yes I do”. I have three daughters and a grandson in South Africa, and I long to be with them. My visa to work in the USA expires at the end of this year and I will no longer be able to live and work here. In the light of this, I have been in discussion with our United Methodist District Superintendent, Rev Rebecca Trefz, as well as our Staff Parish Committee, about the best way to make this transition. I would want the transition to a new pastor to be a celebration of the good plans that God has for us all.
Mark Stratton: In light of Pastor Pete’s timeline, we have been in discussion with Rev. Trefz and the Bishop about the future pastoral needs of Brookings First UMC. Although the normal time for appointment changes in the UM system is July 1, we have requested, and the Cabinet agreed, that Pastor Pete serve as our pastor through the end of 2024, with a new senior pastor beginning in 2025. Because of this unique timeline and circumstances, the Dakotas Cabinet is working with us to be proactive in identifying a pastor to be appointed here next year. You as a congregation will be kept informed about this process. Please feel free to talk to me as the Chair of the Staff-Parish committee if you have any questions.
Please pray for our church as we seek to walk in obedience to the Lord.
Pastor Pete
Mark Stratton (Chair, Staff-Parish Relations Committee)
Easter this year saw a wonderful gathering of our congregation. We reflected on the Amazing Marys of the Bible, we paused at the foot of the Cross, and we celebrated our faith in a resurrected Jesus. We continue to believe that God’s Grace holds our church, and our future. This letter is from both Pastor Pete and Mark Stratton – and is sent to promote transparency in the decision making of our church:
Pastor Pete: As you know, I led a mission team to South Africa. This was a time of great blessing both for the Methodist children’s home we worked at and for the team. Since coming back, I have had many people ask me if I have plans to return to my family. The answer is “yes I do”. I have three daughters and a grandson in South Africa, and I long to be with them. My visa to work in the USA expires at the end of this year and I will no longer be able to live and work here. In the light of this, I have been in discussion with our United Methodist District Superintendent, Rev Rebecca Trefz, as well as our Staff Parish Committee, about the best way to make this transition. I would want the transition to a new pastor to be a celebration of the good plans that God has for us all.
Mark Stratton: In light of Pastor Pete’s timeline, we have been in discussion with Rev. Trefz and the Bishop about the future pastoral needs of Brookings First UMC. Although the normal time for appointment changes in the UM system is July 1, we have requested, and the Cabinet agreed, that Pastor Pete serve as our pastor through the end of 2024, with a new senior pastor beginning in 2025. Because of this unique timeline and circumstances, the Dakotas Cabinet is working with us to be proactive in identifying a pastor to be appointed here next year. You as a congregation will be kept informed about this process. Please feel free to talk to me as the Chair of the Staff-Parish committee if you have any questions.
Please pray for our church as we seek to walk in obedience to the Lord.
Pastor Pete
Mark Stratton (Chair, Staff-Parish Relations Committee)