Saving Grace

      Dear friends, this will be my last Saving Grace.

      To honor my commitment to God and to The United Methodist Church, several weeks ago it was announced that I have accepted a new appointment as the senior pastor of the Verdigris United Methodist Church.  This is a wonderful church in a growing community.  Though smaller than our church here, it has the same general feel of spirit and love so evident here.  This appointment comes with the added benefit that Verdigris does not provide a church-owned parsonage. This means I get the blessing of continuing to live with Susan in her parsonage in Coweta, rather than having to live apart from her in a separate parsonage. Though I feel sadness because I am leaving a church family I love deeply, please know that my spirit is full of hope for your church here in Bixby, and for the opportunities I have been given in Verdigris.

Much has changed in the Bixby church during the three and a half years I have served you.  We shared many joys and sorrows.  We grew during our faithful service to God and to God’s kingdom.  I have been blessed immensely by serving as your pastor.  You have taught me much; you patiently helped me grow and mature as a spiritual leader, as a pastor, and particularly as a preacher.  You have prepared me well to take my place as an ordained elder and senior minister in our denomination.  For this, I am profoundly grateful.  I deeply appreciate all you have done, and will miss all those here who contributed so very much to my journey.  You have made me feel welcomed and loved. 

We are a connectional denomination, and we are all part of the body of Christ, which means it is likely that my path and some of yours will someday cross again.  I remain appointed in the Tulsa District, so I will see some of you from time to time at District events and through other venues such as the Walk to Emmaus.

Though leaving you is not easy, I am excited to know that a new servant of Christ will soon be here to receive the same love and blessings you so kindly shared with me.  I know I can trust you to make room in your lives for Rev. Chris Ruddell, your new associate pastor.  Chris happens to be a very good friend, as does his wife, Rev. Crystal Hughes, who will begin serving Morris United Methodist Church in June.  Chris and Crystal are delightful, humble servant leaders.  I expect you to be a blessing to Chris, as you were to me, and that you will be open to receive the gifts and graces Chris will bring.  Please pray for Chris and Crystal during their transition, and especially that their house in Fort Worth will sell soon.  I also ask for your prayers for me and for my new ministry in Verdigris.  I will continue to pray for you.

Additionally, the worship service during which I and others will be ordained is set for Tuesday, May 31, at 6:30pm at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church in Oklahoma City.  I know some of you are making the long trip to Oklahoma City to share in this special and very holy moment for me.  I am grateful and humbled for your presence.  You have given me the distinct privilege and honor of serving as one of your pastors. 

Thank you.

May God richly bless the ministries of the First United Methodist Church of Bixby, the Verdigris United Methodist Church, and the other churches and ministries of The Oklahoma Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church.  May God richly bless you, your families, and the lives of those whom you touch in service to the Kingdom of God.

You have been my saving graces.

Blessings along the way,

Rev. Mark Whitley