A Message from Our Pastor: June

Dearest Family:
As we come to that point when we must surrender a way of life we have come to cherish, Anona and I must say our “farewell” to you with much sadness. Our hearts, which so often have been lifted up in gratitude for everything which First UMC Melrose has come to mean to us, are now burdened with this painful task of “letting go.” We feel so much, and so deeply, as we think about our many friends in this church! How deeply we appreciate the many gentle graces of several persons whose gifts of friendship have added so much dimension to our souls.

We can never adequately thank you for the goodness you have shown to us. You have opened your hearts and spirits to the faith, hope, and love which I have tried to share with you as your pastor, friend, and brother in the faith. You have been so warm and loving and accepting of my wife, Anona, and this has helped me, in turn, to love you and care for you all the more! You have, in your collective gentle and kind ways, always graciously challenged me to grow in my own ministry; and you have been so accepting and understanding of many of my personal limitations and weaknesses.

Now it is my joy to ask you to show as much love and support to your new pastor, Reverend Stacey Lanier, and her family, as you have always graciously given to us. As soon as they arrive, let Pastor Stacey and Stewart know that they have truly come to the place they can call “home.” Be willing to open your hearts, minds and spirits to the new gifts that Pastor Stacey comes to bring!

In The Order of Farewell for a Pastor found in our United Methodist Book of Worship, the brief ritual which we will share on our last Sunday together (June 22), there is a very important sentence which I will recite to the congregation: I release you from turning to me, and depending on me. I fully embrace and support the importance of this traditional statement, and the etiquette/protocol which departing pastors are expected to follow. The privilege of establishing deep and lasting relationships and strong family connections by celebrating the milestones of church members and friends must now belong exclusively to Pastor Stacey. For this most important reason, I request that, from this moment on, church members and friends refrain from asking me to “come back” and preside over any baptisms, weddings, or funerals that will take place in our beautiful sanctuary or chapel, for I will respectfully decline any such invitations, in order to provide that sacred space you will need to open your hearts and homes, and to share your joys and your sorrows with Pastor Stacey. While we will continue to laugh and weep with you through your joys and sorrows, we will do so from a distance, holding you in our hearts and prayers.

In years to come, I am certain that you will continue to affirm the strengths and goodness which you will see in your new pastor; as well as those strengths and the goodness which you have always been able to recognize in each other! In this way, I am convinced, your fellowship of faith will continue to be a vibrant, living reflection of God’s love.

Pastorates have a way of ending, but not the close friendships which they forge. We know that we will never completely “leave” the people of this church “behind” us — that we will carry you in our hearts forever! And, even though you must join with us in this painful task of “letting go,” may we all open our hearts in the spirit of expectation and anticipation of those blessings, those gifts and graces which God has in store for us; those wonders yet to be revealed to us! We thank you, and we love you from the depths of our being, because that is where you have so deeply touched us with your love.

Dear and cherished friends, stay strong, remain faithful, and support one another in the strength of your love. God knows how much Anona and I will miss you, because you have always been, and always will be, through every fond remembrance, our “joy and crown!” God be with you! We speak this final benediction, not simply as a prayer, but rather, as our strongest affirmation of our faith, our “prophecy” and its own fulfillment; because we know that God WILL be with you always!

With Deepest Love and Gratitude,

Pastor Chuck & Anona Hartman

Our new contact information:

Address: 71 Charles Wesley Court

Wells, Maine 04090

Home phone: (207) 467-3623

New Emails: revcharleshartman@gmail.com

anonahartman@gmail.com