Members and friends of Community UMC,
After months of prayer and discernment, Pastor Erik has decided that it is time for him to retire. He has requested retirement with the District Superintendent, the Bishop, and the Board of Ordained Ministry, and it has been approved effective July 1, 2025.
Pastor Erik informed the Staff Parish Relations Committee at its last meeting, Nov. 21, of this development. He informed several of the staff in-person last Tuesday. The announcement was made during worship yesterday, which was unfortunately not livestreamed due to technical difficulties.
The SPRC will communicate the steps in the process via email as we move forward, working to maintain transparency for everyone as much as possible.
If you have any questions about this process, please see me or any other member of the SPRC. They are: Candis Milbourne, Sharon Munns, Barbara Julian, Ephraim Sydney and Nancy Kripner.
During the next six months, we as an SPRC covet your prayers for our future, and we invite you to join with us in praying for Pastor Erik and Sheila as they prepare for this next phase of their life.
I’d like to share with you all a thought Barb Julian expressed in the closing prayer she offered the night of the meeting when we learned Erik’s news. This is new news to us, but it is not new to God. He already knows our new pastor and what we need to grow into the plans God has for CUMC to be His church out in the world. God has plans for Pastor Erik and Sheila as they move into the next season of their lives. And, as we’ve been taught since we were little children, ALL God’s plans are GOOD.
As we stand in this place of faith and hold space in our hearts for all the emotions we may be feeling – happiness for Pastor Erik and Sheila, sadness for approaching good-byes, and curiosity, and, maybe some beginning excitement for what our next season and pastor will bring – I invite you give Pastor Erik thanks for his work and service. Will you join me, please?
Dana Buckwalter
SPRC Chairperson
