Dear Calvary Memorial United Methodist Church Family,
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. It is hard to believe that two years ago, I was coming to meet with the SPRC at Calvary Memorial for a covenant visit. So much life has happened since I have come to serve as your pastor. And it is with mixed feelings–right now mostly grief–that I share this news with you. Trevor and I have been feeling the pull back to home for about a year now. We have been very lonely since we moved to North Carolina in 2018. We came from Ruston, LA, where all our friends were and our families were close by. This loneliness has only gotten more pronounced with our growing family. You, Christians at Calvary Memorial, have been a balm for this loneliness for me and my family in so many ways. However, there is only so much I could ask you to do. Y’all have loved us so well through so much–parsonage fire, family deaths, sicknesses, a miscarriage, and more. And I have loved y’all right back.
For all of this and more, I am grieved to announce that my family is moving back to Louisiana. Trevor and I have accepted church appointments in Northwest Louisiana. My last Sunday with y’all will be May 19, 2024. I know this is not the standard moving time for pastors. We are moving before the end of June so that I can have more time to get to know my OBGYN before Daniel is born.
I know this announcement will bring all different kinds of emotions and questions. Please know I am here to listen and answer the questions I can. The one big question that I cannot answer right now is “What does this mean for Calvary? And who is coming to us?” Please know that we told the Cabinet (the Bishop and all the District Superintendents) in time for conversations about Calvary Memorial to be on the table. The Cabinet is still in the discernment process for who will come and serve as your pastor. I am working with Rev. Jon Strother to get people to preach from the end of May to the beginning of July so there will not be an empty pulpit. There will also be pastoral care available during that time. It is not known as of now who will fill these roles.
“I thank my God for every remembrance of you, always in every one of my prayers for all of you, praying with joy for your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work in you will continue to complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.” – Philippians 1:3-6 NRSV
This is how I feel about every single one of you. I know the work that God was doing way before I came to serve will continue in and through you until Jesus comes back. I know that you will continue to be the hands and feet of Jesus and that you will be witnesses to all that the Lord has done in your lives. In many ways, you have become a part of my family and I will miss each and every one of you so much.
I am here if you want to talk or process this announcement with me. Please know I love each and every one of you!
With Love and Prayers,
Pastor Emily Hamil Blair