Hello McFarland! Pastor Wayne here!
I announced to the congregation this morning that I will retire at the 2024 Annual Conference in June. With this announcement and the delivery of the retirement letter to the Bishop and the other appropriate persons, it is official. I will be leaving McFarland UMC in June 2024.
What does this mean for McFarland? Well, we all know that McFarland UMC is in good shape financially because of the stewardship of Roy Brookshire and Don Butcher. However, we realise that the current situation is not sustainable. This means that we will probably be looking to combine in some way with Ft, Oglethorpe, Flintstone, and Simpson in order to efficiently do ministry in Rossville and Walker County. What that will look like will be up to you. The Church Council will meet briefly on Monday to think about the questions that need to be asked going forward. I imagine that District Superintendent Mickey Rainwater will have some questions to bring to the Church Conference that will be held in the Fellowship Hall on Wednesday, November 15 at 1:00 p.m. As a Church Conference, all members are welcome to attend and vote on the issues that come before the conference.
I want to thank you for the ministry that we have shared since I arrived in 2018. I appreciate how you have strived to find ways to reach out to the community around us. Please pray for guidance as God directs you into whatever new phase of ministry is in store for you.
When I retire in June 2024, I will have served 18 years in ministry. One third of that ministry will have been here at McFarland. You have blessed me as we have served together. I pray that as we negotiate the next 7 1/2 months together that we will always seek God’s guidance as we respond to God’s call in the Rossville and East Lake communities.
I don’t want this to be a long goodbye. I want us to part with a focus on who God is calling us to be. Let’s make the next 7 plus months count.
In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
