Sunday, April 19
Dear Belmont,
At the conclusion of this morning’s 10:30am worship service, we announced that, on the decision of our Bishop, David Graves, and our District Superintendent, Jerry Wallace, Heather Harris will be concluding her ministry at Belmont UMC to begin an appointment at a different parish this summer. This is certainly sad news for those of us who have been blessed by Heather’s presence – along with Michael, Daniel, and Emma Ann – at Belmont.
Yet it is part of our stated mission of faith as United Methodists to be a connectional church, where our bishops and district superintendents, with the support of our prayers, discern the needs of congregations and appoint those who are called in response to those needs. Indeed, Belmont is a community that has contributed substantially to the sustenance of the United Methodist Church by nurturing and then sharing many pastors over the years, and now God’s work calls Heather to a different place. Though this is understandably sad, it is also God at work. So let us cherish the time that remains in her ministry with us and hold her and her family in our prayers as she takes this next step in her calling.
The Staff Parish Relations Committee (SPRC) will begin a process of prayerful discernment to consider a successor to Heather. We welcome – and will seek – your input during this process and ask for your prayers as well.
Our church cannot become stagnant, so we celebrate and enter together this next step in God’s will being done.
In peace,
Jerome C. Del Pino
Chair, Staff Parish Relations Committee