Let me begin by sharing one of my favorite scripture passages: Philippians 4: Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.

Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious – the best – not the worst; the beautiful-not the ugly; things to praise- not things to curse. …Do that, and God, who makes every thing work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies.  (from The Message).

One of the easiest things for me to say is “hello!” The hardest is say “good-bye.” May 31st will end my four year tenure as your associate pastor. I am going to either take a medical retirement or will take an incapacity leave (just means I not able to perform the regular duties of a full time pastor (full or part time) for at least 6 months). 

I will preach on May 15th and June 5th. My appointment among you will officially end on June 11th following annual conference. 

I have learned much as I have lived and served among you. It is an experience that I will treasure for the rest of my life. It has been such a blessing to me to see how as the body of Christ you have reached out to the sick, worked with the needy, and have tried to set the prisoners (literally and figuratively) free. That was part of Jesus’ mission while on earth.

As the body of Christ, you have supported my ideas, encouraged me to step outside my comfort zone, helped me as I went through covenant connection. You have loved me, counseled me, and consoled me as only YOU can do. Thank you!

Even as I say good bye as your associate pastor, I anticipate being received among you as a member of this congregation and we learn to serve God together in new ways. After a sabbatical of 3-4 months, I will return to worship with you in the fall. Roy and I will continue to make our home in Cedar Creek. Our mailing address and my cell phone number will remain unchanged. I will be glad to visit with any of you after my sabbatical.

In closing, I would like to share a poem that my Mom gave me years ago:

Your love, your thoughts, and your feelings
Are yours to share when you choose.
My love for you is also a choice,
A gift I choose to give.
Love is ours, if we wish to receive.
I will accept what you give,
And return it full measure.
ALL OF LOVE IS A CHOICE.

Your sister-in-Christ,

Cathey Meisetschlaeger