From Pastor Doug
I want to tell the church that I have been so very blessed and honored to have spent almost 4 years with you. Getting to know all of you and seeing how strong you are in your faith walk has really inspired me. From your Easter Morning breakfast and sunrise service to the Chili supper and Ice Cream social to the VBS both during the summer and at Christmas. These have all been loving ways to serve our community.
At this time I have been appointed by the DS and Bishop to a new church. New Life UMC in Mexico IN will be my next step in my walk as pastor to serve another community. This is something that happens in Methodist Denomination from time to time. I know God has his hand on all of us. I’m sure he has things for me to do at the new appointment. I also know that my time with you here has been exactly what God had planned for all of us.
Rest assured the Bishop and DS are working and will have a new minister appointed very soon. May God Bless you and keep you all. We will remain friends in the years to come and as always I will continue to pray for all of you.
Blessings:
Pastor Doug
To the Body of Inwood UMC:
The news of Pastor Doug being assigned to another church is upsetting and unexpected. We have built a connection of trust and companionship with him over the last 4 years. I have never experienced this in my years with the church, even though new appointments happen on a regular basis. So, I understand your concern, dismay, and confusion upon hearing this news.
I have been in contact with the District Superintendent, and with the help of the Bishop of Indiana, we are going to make this transition as easy as possible. I will be calling a PPR meeting along with Ernie at Riverside to fill out a questionnaire to determine the qualities and qualifications of our next Pastor’s appointment.
God answered our prayers when he sent Doug to “fill in” our open pulpit, and then we quickly decided that he needed to stay. Now, New Life Church needs his gifts. I know you will all support me in saying, “Good Luck and God Bless” to Doug, as he walks the path that he has been called to follow.
Doug, we thank you for the 4 years of service to Inwood UMC and wish you well in your future assignment. We have grown close over the past 4 years and the friendships that you have forged here will never be broken. We will pray for you, as you have prayed for us, unyielding and unwavering.
Sincerely,
Andrew Atkins Lay Leader, Inwood UMC
