My Dear Friends in Christ.

     It seems to me, in this transition process that we find ourselves in, that many people are questioning, with good intent, the necessity of the upcoming change.  No one likes change, we are comfortable where we are most times, and change means that we need to get uncomfortable for a while.  But have you ever wondered why some things change and some things never change? 

     Take for instance the example of the railroad.  Clark Cothern of Tecumseh, Michigan is quoted as having once said.  “The U.S. standard railroad gauge (that is, the distance between the rails) is exactly four feet, eight-and-one-half inches.  Why such an odd number? Because that's the way they built them in England, and American railroads were built by British expatriates.  

     Why did the English adopt that particular gauge?  Because the people who built the pre-railroad tramways used that gauge.  They in turn were locked into that gauge because the people who built tramways used the same standards and tools they had used for building wagons, which were set on a gauge of four feet, eight-and-one-half inches.  

     Why were wagons built to that scale?  Because with any other size, the wheels did not match the old wheel ruts on the roads.  So who built these old rutted roads?  The first long-distance highways in Europe were built by Imperial Rome for the benefit of their legions.  The roads have been in use ever since.  The ruts were first made by Roman war chariots.  Four feet, eight-and-one-half inches were the width a chariot needed to be to accommodate the rear ends of two war horses.”  

     When we look at why we do things, or why we allow ourselves to get comfortable in an ever changing world it begs us to search the soul… maybe resistance to change isn't all its cracked up to be. 

     I know that there have been a lot of wonderful things that we have accomplished together in the last six years, and I know that there are some wonderful things that will be accomplished in the coming years.  I am saddened by the fact that Suzanne and I will not be a part of them, but I know that some of them would not get accomplished if we were to be allowed to remain here.  There is growth that is needed.  There are changes for the better that need to occur.  There is ministry that needs to continue, and ministry that needs to change.  And I know that it is all good.

     Pastor Mary Jane Fullerton, your new pastor beginning this July, said in her April/May Newsletter at New Hope UMC, “Yes, it is a requirement of our faith that we accept the need for change and then live into it. Jesus’ teachings were a radical reinterpretation of the Jewish expectations and legal understandings.  Indeed, he was a revolutionary, if not in deed, certainly in thought.  

     The Hebrews of his day expected a warrior to come with sword and blood shed to overthrow Rome.  That’s not where Jesus was coming from.  The Hebrews of his day wanted the hated oppressors out.  That’s not where Jesus was coming from.  Jesus came to change the way we thought.  Jesus came with the intent that we should change the way we view other people.  Jesus came to change the way the church itself operated.  Jesus came to change our lives from the darkness of sin to the light of salvation.  

     Jesus came to bring change.  They didn’t like it 2000 years ago, any more than we like it today.  We are comfortable where we are.  We are comfortable in our ruts.  We are comfortable with people we know, who are like us.  We are comfortable with our current expectations and often don’t want to do the work required to learn new things, react in new ways, see things in a different light.  But, like it or not, that is what we are called to do as Christians.  

     We must reach out to those who aren’t like us.  We must soften our hearts to accept thoughts and ideas we are unsure of.  We must look for the good and not just be skeptical of those who would offer us a vision for the future.  We must put aside the same old, same old and put on the glory of a resurrected life. 

     None of us knows what lies ahead in the coming months, possibly not even those who would seek to offer us direction or expect our participation in their vision.  But this much I am sure of, and offer that assurance to you as well, no matter what I think, no matter what fears I may have, no matter what challenges or expectations may be placed before me, all of those potential changes must be met to continue the ministry and mission of the Christ, that we will live into the kingdom of God and all the changes that will come within the body, mind and spirit.  Prayerfully, we may move on together, gathering up change and seeing what can happen.  Keep the process; keep our changes in prayer—God will answer.”

     That too is my prayer for Wesley UMC, that you will endure the changes that are coming, and that God’s plan for us all will come to fruition, and that we will all be better and stronger in our faith because of it. 

It has been my joy and pleasure to serve as your pastor these last six years, and I go to my new appointment a better pastor, because you have come to know me, and because I have come to know you.  May God continue to richly bless you as we all progress through this time of change.

Serving Christ with you,