This Week from Mitch

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

I hope and pray that you are well. I also hope that you have a great 4th of July. This Sunday, after church, if you enjoy patriotic music, please stay for the organ postlude. Also, this Sunday, at our 5 PM service, our seminarian, Adam Steele, will be preaching. Please join me in supporting him as he continues on his path towards ordination in The Episcopal Church.

At the end of the month, St. Martin's will experience two staff changes. The first is that after thirty-eight years of music ministry, Pam Hair is retiring. Pam has taught choirs and shared her love of sacred music with multiple generations of children. She has even taught children of former students. Pam's love, patience, and passion for incorporating children into worship have been a blessing to St. Martin's and every church she has served. Thirty-eight years is a fantastic ministry, and we wish her well.

Secondly, this Tuesday, I received word from our diocese that our Deacon, The Reverend Deacon Dianna Deaderick, will be reassigned. I received this news with a mixture of sadness and deep gratitude. My sadness comes from the fact that Dianna has been a wonderful colleague and a great friend. Serving alongside her has been a blessing for Caitlyn and me. During her three years here at St. Martin's, Dianna has helped us emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic. She played a pivotal role in helping us return to and surpass our pre-COVID attendance levels. She helped us restart lay pastoral care ministries, initiated a service at Atria with the Daughters of the King, and led us in incorporating live streaming of worship into our lay Eucharistic visits— a project that garnered national attention. Dianna led mission projects, walked the Camino, helped with our Angel Tree ministries at Christmas, and did so much more. Dianna has graced us with her ministries. Her last Sunday will be July 27. In the Episcopal Church, please know that a deacon serves at the discretion of the bishop. Just as Dianna was assigned to us, she will be assigned to a new church where I know her gifts will bless her new congregation just as they blessed us. A special reception will be planned for both Dianna and Pam.

For both the Hair family and the Deaderick family, these changes represent transitions, but not goodbye. At St. Martin's, we boldly proclaim "all are welcome". Both families have been a part of that proclamation. Both families are a part of our church family, and family is always welcome at the table. To Pam, I wish her a happy and well-deserved retirement. I know you will enjoy increased time with your family. Thank you for all you have done. And to Dianna, via con Dios, I know your new ministry will bear good fruit.

In Christ,

Mitch