To the Members and Friends of Union Congregational Church,

It is with a mixture of grief and gratitude that I share bittersweet news: after much prayerful discernment, I am heeding God’s call to serve another church, and will conclude my time as your Settled Pastor on Sunday, September 6th.

 

Words can hardly express how grateful I am to God for all that this church has been for me and my family. It is through this ministry with you that I began to sense God calling me to commit fully to pastoral ministry. Having one foot in the world of the university and one foot in the church was my dream when I came to Union. Over time, God gave me a new dream: to lead a church in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), the denomination of my ordination, and make ministry my full-time profession. God has now provided me with that opportunity.

 

Whitney, the boys, and I are sad to leave our church and community here in East Walpole. In the coming weeks, there will be time to say our goodbyes, to reflect, pray, and celebrate what we have shared together these past seven years. Along with my family, I will also be taking my planned sabbath time away from August 20-29, but will be with you in worship this Sunday (August 16th), August 30th, and September 6th.

 

Pastoral relationships may end, but friendships do not. The Shepherd Family will treasure you all, our friends in Christ, and joyfully remember this season in our lives and the life of Christ’s church, here in this little corner of God’s Kingdom called “Union.”

 

May you continue to love, welcome, and serve all along life’s journey, trusting the promise of Jesus: “I am with you always.”

 

Read Pastor Shepherd's Full Letter Here: https://churchbythepark.beehiiv.com/