Dear Glen Mar Friends,

I’m so grateful for another amazing Holy Week at Glen Mar Church! I’m so honored to be the pastor of a church that shows and shares the love of Jesus the way you all do! The Resurrection feels like a culmination (and it is), but it’s not really an “ending” as much as it is a beginning. The new life we are given in Christ gives us all kinds of chances for new beginnings. Easter isn’t just one Sunday—it’s a whole season of the church year—and it changes everything. Because Jesus lives, we can face tomorrow. Because Jesus lives, we don’t have to be slaves to fear anymore. Because Jesus lives, we can forgive and be forgiven. Because Jesus lives, we share his love with our neighbors. Easter changes everything.

While on the subject of “new beginnings,” I shared in worship in January that Eric and I covet your prayers as we prepare to move to North Carolina this summer to care for elderly parents and in-laws in June. My last Sunday with you will be June 8, and my last day, June 10. I’ll be using transitional leave and vacation for the remainder of June so we can make our move, and so that Glen Mar can take a breath, and prepare to receive Rev. Chris Dembeck, your new lead pastor, starting July 1. We love and will miss you greatly, but we are needed in this stage of life by both my parents and Eric’s, and they all live in North Carolina.

Glen Mar, we have accomplished so much together over the past seven years, and I know that Pastor Chris is called and equipped and ready to be your next lead pastor. I learned from you, Glen Mar, how to be a pastor, and how to use my gifts in ministry, and I learned that we are “blessed to be a blessing.” You have blessed our family and me over these years, and I’m so grateful.

I hope you will join us in worship for our “Light the Way” Easter sermon series! If you’d like to grab some coffee or just drop by the office for a hug and a chat, email me and we’ll find a time.

See you in church,

Pastor Mandy