Pastoral Transition Update
A Word From Pastor Ross
January 8, 2023
Dear Church Family,
It is with both great excitement and tremendous sadness that I write this letter to tell you that I have accepted a call to become the Senior Pastor of the La Cañada Presbyterian Church. The decision to accept this call was not an easy nor a quick one. When the opportunity came, Kathy and I spent tremendous time in prayer. It became clear that the Lord has a new direction for us in our lives and we believe that as the Lord directs our steps, we need to follow.
For almost 22 years I have been blessed to have been your pastor and colleague in ministry. It has been a joy to have served alongside you. As your pastor, I have participated in so many important moments in the life of the congregation and in the community. I have fond memories of each occasion. I have also been so blessed to have worked with such gifted staff, volunteers, Elders, Deacons, and pastors throughout the years. We have shared leaps of faith as we renovated our sanctuary, remodeled the kitchen and welcomed a sister church into our family. We have worked side-by-side to care for the homeless and the needy, following in the footsteps of Jesus. I will never forget these experiences. But now, as I look forward to future ministry, I believe that this transition will be a good match for my pastoral gifts and a good match for the La Cañada congregation.
As you might expect, my transition will also mean that Kathy will be leaving her position as the Director of Children's Ministry, a ministry that she has done enthusiastically and faithfully for 19 years. We both have heavy hearts about this transition, because you have been so kind to the Purdy family. Kathy and I were blessed and happy here.
My last day of service as your pastor will be January 31st. I have spoken to our Presbytery's Executive Presbyter, Juan Sarmiento, the Chair of the Presbytery's Committee on Ministry, Jim Sillerud, along with a few others. Each of them has promised me that the Presbytery will ensure that Burbank Presbyterian has solid leadership going forward to help the congregation in this transition. First Presbyterian Church is a special ministry and I know that you will continue to do great things in the years that lie ahead. I am so proud of your work with the community and your dedication and service to everyone.
On behalf of the Purdy family, we want you to know that we love you. It is difficult to leave such a great community which has been a family to us, but we do so knowing that our lives here on earth are planned and directed by the Holy Spirit. We will miss you dearly! We will continue to pray for you and we ask that you keep us in your prayers also.
With tremendous love and gratitude,
Pastor Ross
January 8, 2023
Dear Church Family,
It is with both great excitement and tremendous sadness that I write this letter to tell you that I have accepted a call to become the Senior Pastor of the La Cañada Presbyterian Church. The decision to accept this call was not an easy nor a quick one. When the opportunity came, Kathy and I spent tremendous time in prayer. It became clear that the Lord has a new direction for us in our lives and we believe that as the Lord directs our steps, we need to follow.
For almost 22 years I have been blessed to have been your pastor and colleague in ministry. It has been a joy to have served alongside you. As your pastor, I have participated in so many important moments in the life of the congregation and in the community. I have fond memories of each occasion. I have also been so blessed to have worked with such gifted staff, volunteers, Elders, Deacons, and pastors throughout the years. We have shared leaps of faith as we renovated our sanctuary, remodeled the kitchen and welcomed a sister church into our family. We have worked side-by-side to care for the homeless and the needy, following in the footsteps of Jesus. I will never forget these experiences. But now, as I look forward to future ministry, I believe that this transition will be a good match for my pastoral gifts and a good match for the La Cañada congregation.
As you might expect, my transition will also mean that Kathy will be leaving her position as the Director of Children's Ministry, a ministry that she has done enthusiastically and faithfully for 19 years. We both have heavy hearts about this transition, because you have been so kind to the Purdy family. Kathy and I were blessed and happy here.
My last day of service as your pastor will be January 31st. I have spoken to our Presbytery's Executive Presbyter, Juan Sarmiento, the Chair of the Presbytery's Committee on Ministry, Jim Sillerud, along with a few others. Each of them has promised me that the Presbytery will ensure that Burbank Presbyterian has solid leadership going forward to help the congregation in this transition. First Presbyterian Church is a special ministry and I know that you will continue to do great things in the years that lie ahead. I am so proud of your work with the community and your dedication and service to everyone.
On behalf of the Purdy family, we want you to know that we love you. It is difficult to leave such a great community which has been a family to us, but we do so knowing that our lives here on earth are planned and directed by the Holy Spirit. We will miss you dearly! We will continue to pray for you and we ask that you keep us in your prayers also.
With tremendous love and gratitude,
Pastor Ross
Posted in PastoralTransition
Recent
Archive
2023
January
February
December