Dear Friends,
Most of you have heard that this month will be my last month as the pastor of First UMC of Torrance. It is with a blessed and broken heart that I write my final El Portal article. I am blessed to have been your pastor for eight years. I am blessed to have grown as a human, Christian, and pastor while I have been here. I am blessed to have watched my three children be loved and cared for by the amazing people of this church. I have been blessed to call this home. BUT, I am also broken hearted to have to say good-bye and no longer call this home.
I cannot say thank you enough for being the wonderful and faith-filled people that you are, and know that you will forever hold a place in my heart.
Before I can go, we must have one last June, as June is one of my favorite months of worship. June is a month of celebrations, honorings, and uplifting ministry, and this June will be no different. June 5 we will celebrate Pentecost, the receiving of the Holy Spirit and the birthday of the Christian church. I invite you to wear the traditional color of red as we celebrate the Holy Spirit, the church, and Holy Communion in one Spirit-led service.
I will be focusing on packing the weeks of June 12 and 19,, but we will have two weeks of worship celebration that will be led by our incredible lay leaders. In addition, June 19 we will celebrate Dads and Grads with recognitions and gifts.
To conclude the month, on June 26 we will have one final worship service together as God blesses our last time together and begins guiding us in the next chapter of life and ministry. I hope to see you all there as I will need to get in every final hello, hug, and handshake possible as your pastor.
In the meantime, I plan to squeeze in as many Bible study classes, homemade meals by Pastor Stacy, visits, and activities as possible before you welcome in the next blessed pastor to call this church family home.
Thank you all. Salamat po. And may God be with us till we meet again.
Blessings to you all, Pastor Stacy