I just got bad news from my pastor.....UPDATED

mRm2008 Posted: Feb 27, 2008 01:56 PM

I just got bad news from my pastor.....UPDATED

Got a letter in today's mail that she is retiring 2/29/08. This is a total shock to our church. She didn't mention anything Sunday or even give a clue that this was happening. The letter was mailed out 02/26/08 and was addressed to the church as a whole. She isn't giving a reason in the letter but did say she will NOT be able to perform any upcoming weddings/funerals/baptisms ect!!

I feel really let down for many reasons. I don't want to come across as selfish and say its wrong b/c it effects MY wedding. I am sure many families had church related activities planned in the upcoming months. I almost want to say I wish she'd have called or given me some type of indication that she was leaving. I don't know what I am going to do now. I am guessing we will have a 'fill-in' type situation where other pastors will come in and do coverage. I don't want to be mad and take it personally, she was a wonderful Pastor and person, I just felt the whole situation is cold.
--------------------------UPDATE--------------------------
Met our temporary pastor today at church. He is considerably different from our old pastor but very good. I was able to introduce myself after the service (FH could not attend because of work.) He seems very personable and easy to talk to! He told me that our wedding date is in the church calendar and he would be contacting us after Easter to discuss wedding things. I feel a lot better. Thanks for listening

anamaree77 Posted: Feb 27, 2008 02:04 PM

Re: I just got bad news from my pastor.....

Aww i'm sorry hun. Maybe it is for unexpected reasons, family reasons, health reasons, who knows. I'm assuming she didn't indicate why it was so sudden so you have to respect her privacy but still, even if you knew she was leaving, would you have changed the wedding date? Just trying to be a little uplifting for you, try not to be too upset.

No matter who performs the ceremony, it will be beautiful!!

MrsK2008 Posted: Feb 27, 2008 02:05 PM

Re: I just got bad news from my pastor.....

I am sure this wasn't an easy decision for your pastor either. I hope everything works itself out!

dannisayz Posted: Feb 27, 2008 02:43 PM

Re: I just got bad news from my pastor.....

I'm sure everything will work itself out. Are there any other pastors at the church that you feel comfortable with?

mRm2008 Posted: Feb 27, 2008 02:50 PM

Re: I just got bad news from my pastor.....

Posted by dannisayz

I'm sure everything will work itself out. Are there any other pastors at the church that you feel comfortable with?

She was the only pastor at our church. I am familiar with the pastor at another Lutheran church in our area, I should contact him to see if he could possibly do our wedding. Just to have a plan B!

dannisayz Posted: Feb 27, 2008 02:53 PM

Re: I just got bad news from my pastor.....

Posted by mRm2008

Posted by dannisayz

I'm sure everything will work itself out. Are there any other pastors at the church that you feel comfortable with?

She was the only pastor at our church. I am familiar with the pastor at another Lutheran church in our area, I should contact him to see if he could possibly do our wedding. Just to have a plan B!

Great! I'm not Lutheran, so I'm not much help. However, we're using a non denominational pastor and she's wonderful. If you don't have any luck and are interested, feel free to FM me. I have her number at home (I'm at work).

bluekat16 Posted: Feb 27, 2008 02:57 PM

Re: I just got bad news from my pastor.....

I'm sorry you got that news. I'm sure it was a difficult decision for your pastor to leave so quickly. Sounds like something personal is going on for her to leave so suddenly. Good luck in searching for a new pastor.

mRm2008 Posted: Feb 27, 2008 05:09 PM

Re: I just got bad news from my pastor.....

TY everyone
I hope it is not illness with her or her family. Maybe her ministry needs have changed and she is chosing to relocate where she feels she is of better service. I'm sure we will find out in time.

mrspalomino148 Posted: Feb 27, 2008 05:13 PM

Re: I just got bad news from my pastor.....

aw im so sorry, and I hope they already have a pastor coming in to fill in so you can meet them immediately and start to feel more and more comfortable with them!

MayWeddingGrl Posted: Feb 27, 2008 05:16 PM

Re: I just got bad news from my pastor.....

OMG! I'm so sorry!! I agree that she should have at least called you in person to explain.

I hope it still works out well in the end.

madseason Posted: Feb 27, 2008 05:36 PM

Re: I just got bad news from my pastor.....

WOw Meg I am so sorry. I would feel so lost right now....and you are not being selfish at all

Honestly, I think that something might be happening with her...something personal. It sounds like this is sudden, like a family or health crisis has surfaced which is forcing her to leave.

If you need to talk please FM me!

xxxxxxxxxxxxoooooooooooooooo

mRm2008 Posted: Feb 27, 2008 08:40 PM

Re: I just got bad news from my pastor.....

Posted by mrspalomino148

aw im so sorry, and I hope they already have a pastor coming in to fill in so you can meet them immediately and start to feel more and more comfortable with them!

I hope to meet our new pastor this Sunday. I want to make sure that our wedding is in the church calendar - I don't want to lose our date. I am sure they will do a great job

mRm2008 Posted: Feb 27, 2008 08:40 PM

Re: I just got bad news from my pastor.....

Posted by madseason

WOw Meg I am so sorry. I would feel so lost right now....and you are not being selfish at all

Honestly, I think that something might be happening with her...something personal. It sounds like this is sudden, like a family or health crisis has surfaced which is forcing her to leave.

If you need to talk please FM me!

xxxxxxxxxxxxoooooooooooooooo

Thanks Linds I appreciate it

lovebear7800 Posted: Feb 27, 2008 08:42 PM

Re: I just got bad news from my pastor.....

i'm sorry. maybe she has a family reason of why she's retiring.

mRm2008 Posted: Mar 02, 2008 12:31 PM

Re: I just got bad news from my pastor.....UPDATED

Bump for update

roan126 Posted: Mar 02, 2008 02:27 PM

Re: I just got bad news from my pastor.....UPDATED

Glad it all worked out!

mathteach Posted: Mar 02, 2008 02:34 PM

Re: I just got bad news from my pastor.....UPDATED

Oh good, Meg. Glad it all worked out for you!

ShanonandSteve Posted: Mar 02, 2008 02:35 PM

Re: I just got bad news from my pastor.....UPDATED

im glad things worked out.

beachprincess Posted: Mar 02, 2008 08:30 PM

Re: I just got bad news from my pastor.....UPDATED

So glad it is working out. That is a stressful situation and it seems a bit unprofessional of the old pastor. I wonder what prompted the retirement???