To the congregation:

Dear Friends

It has been more than eight years since I accepted a call to ministry at Crescent United.  I have sought to be true to my calling and true to who I am.  Recently I have been encouraged to discern whether the time has come for me to request a change in pastoral relations, that is to move onto a different call.  My heart aches to consider this however after seeking wisdom from others I depend on for guidance and taking time in prayer with our loving God, I have concluded that the time has come.  I have wept over this, struggle with it and doubted and yet in my heart I know that God is calling me to something new.  What this will be is at this point is undetermined.   I am asking Fraser Presbytery to approve a change of pastoral relations as of July 31^st 2012.

It has been a privilege and honour to minister to, with and for the people of Crescent United church.  It has been a great joy to partner with Gabrielle McLarty this past year and I regret that we won't have more time to share God's call of ministry together with all of you.  To be clear my discernment to leave is not related to my working relationships with other staff or congregational leadership. We have a great leadership team and I have good productive and healthy relationships with my fellow staff. 

There are a number of factors that are part of my discernment, including the need for the congregation to take time to discern the future directions and hopes for your shared ministry and the length of time I have served at Crescent.  The significant change of the minister provides motivation and opportunity for the re-examining of work and ministry of the congregation.  It is my hope and prayer that Crescent continues to thrive as vital expression of God's work in the world.

Many of you have honoured me with your trust and allowed me to carry your story in my heart.  I look out on the congregation each Sunday and can name many of your sorrows and joys.  Thank you for trusting me, thank you for allowing me to pray with you and for you.  Your stories are precious to me.  I beg your forgiveness if in anyway I have neglected your spiritual needs.  I offer my forgiveness if in anyway you feel you have let me down.  I ask that you remember me in your prayers as I seek to discern where God is calling me next to serve.  I will remember all of you in my prayers as you take the next steps forward in discerning the call and ministry of Crescent United. 

Friends on my first Sunday here at Crescent I promised I would come to love you all.   Each Sunday I affirm in my heart as I stand before you to begin our worship that I do indeed love the people of Crescent United. 

Peace be with you and may God's love always guide you and support you.

Yours in Christ
Bill Booth

(October 9 2011)

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