The following is an update from the Staff-Parish Relations Committee in reference to our pastoral transition:
Church Family,
The Staff-Parish Relations Committee offers this update with regard to the pastoral transition at FUMC Mount Dora. First, let us assure you that Pastor Gary’s needs are being met. Thank you for your prayers and support! Let us also assure you that God is on this journey with us. Guest preachers are in place for the month of August. From September through December, the Conference has approved Brian Lawson to serve as the primary preacher. Brian should be familiar to most of you, having previously served as FUMC Mount Dora’s Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries. He was also last Sunday’s guest preacher. We thank retired UMC pastor Denman Jones, who will serve as resident elder to be available for things that might come up requiring an ordained pastor. Likewise, we appreciate very much our dedicated and professional Ministry Team and staff, who are managing all of the church’s administrative functions during this time.
Please know that SPRC is committed to honoring God in this process. It is our prayer that having a familiar face in the pulpit on a consistent basis for the next few months will allow us as a congregation to focus on what is truly important right now: supporting
and respecting Pastor Gary and his family, and participating fully as advisors and consultants in the mid-year appointment of the clergy who will serve FUMC Mount Dora as pastor in January and beyond.
We will continue to provide updates as the process unfolds but of course welcome any questions you may have in the meantime. May God pour out his blessings upon us all.
FUMC Staff-Parish Relations Committee