Dear Friends and Members of Ark and Dove,

With sadness and excitement, I am leaving Ark and Dove to lead a Presbyterian church in northern California. I am excited for the opportunity God has opened up for me and my family. I am sad that I will be leaving this community I have come to love so dearly.

Over seven years ago, I came across Ark and Dove when I was searching for a church to begin my congregational ministry. As soon as I met the members and staff of Ark and Dove, I knew it would be the ideal community. Christina and I have been so thoroughly welcomed and affirmed here. Emery and Elias have been so loved as part of this congregation.

Through these seven years, this church has been open to change and ready to move forward. I have learned much from you, the people of this church. My understanding and love for God has grown wider and deeper. My appreciation and love for people has become all the more inclusive. I have been able to celebrate and grieve with you. I have been with many of you through some of the best and worst moments of your lives. You have trusted me to listen and lead and I am deeply grateful for that.

The leaders of this church, well over one hundred, have pressed and pushed us to be a most relevant and engaged congregation. Pastor Tim has been a most excellent mentor and colleague, always after what is best for this church. He has also always had my best interest in mind, even now as he supports me in this opportunity to lead a congregation and staff. He and you have helped me become a pastor and I will always give thanks to God for that.

I intend to say individual goodbyes and express my appreciation for each of you in the coming weeks. I hope that you will be able to come to a farewell reception on June 26. Information about that is here in this Arkive. Within the next few weeks, I look forward to sharing memories and encouragement with you. Please feel free to call, email, or text these last weeks.

One thing I know is that the future is God's and God is good. Ark and Dove will thrive under current and coming leadership. This church will always be a bright light for a world often overcome by darkness.

Peace,

PRAYERS OF HEALING AND SUPPORT for Charlotte Davie; Mike Bartgis's cousin; Lydia Doughty for a speedy recovery; Marjorie Tanner, Laura Doughty’s mother, recovering in hospital after fall; Donna Beckwith beginning chemo therapy this week; Ellen for a successful surgery this week and a full recovery; Cara Moody family member, Gary Moody Sr.; Friends of Michelle Schoonmaker: Carly & Chris Taylor, Karen Butler, Bri Reed, and the Conway Family on the passing of Bruce Conway; Jan Hof recovering from COVID; Laurie Barrow siblings recovering from surgery: Donna Beckwith (sister) and Steve Beckwith (brother); Fred Barrow’s sister, Betsy Sargant; Debbie Saylor's Family and Friends: Carlene Printy, Helen Rossum, Wayne Rennex, & Alison Buffington; Karen Mongold, colleague of Ray Bussey; Donna Kurtz who is waiting test results; for women, E.B., and her children, leaving an abusive home environment; Irina Lee, Jan and Al Jank's daughter-in-law, recovering from surgery; William Campbell, grandfather of Cherese, with cancer; Chris and Jeff, friends of Deb Saylor; Amber Maschino, neighbor of Craig West; Dotty Kaufmann; Jack Sweeney, fighting cancer; Mary Lou Dulina, friend of Cheryl Schafer; Alvin Dennis and Audrey Price; Ashton Borsella, heart surgery; Donna Williams; Courtney Dudley Thomas, recovering from a stroke; Tiffany Thompson, starting a new round of cancer treatments; Courtney, Deborah Dingle’s niece, in the hospital suffering from brain cancer; Anna Scofield; the people of Ukraine; Lou Kareha's friends and family: Aubriella and Michael Steele, B. Wicker, James Karanasky (sister-in-law's brother), Thomas Kochis (cousin), and Nando Smacci (friend); Mike and Denise Bartgis' son-in-law; Kathy Miller's brother-in-law, Jeff Miller, and sister, Beth Krauth; Lourdes Cordero's family and friends: Diane Cordero (sister), Jose (brother), granddaughter, and Fred and Arelene Jones (friends); Christy Hipchen’s nephew and grandmother, Ann Chubon; Josh Arnold; the family of Mike Esparza; Amy Tardiff’s Aunt Fran; Michelle Schoonmaker; Michelle Schoonmaker's friends and their children: Kai S., Liam F. and Ezra R.; Floretta Watkins-Barbee, Michelle Schoonmaker's Aunt and Ylonda Fauntleroy’s friend; Bernice Taylor, Michelle Schoonmaker's great aunt and Ylonda Fauntleroy’s Aunt; Cameron Jackson, Ylonda Fauntleroy’s cousin, dealing with a difficult situation; Frank Stillwell; Mary Caolo; David Johns; Angela Goska; Belinda Edwards; Karen Stokes; Betty Small; Calvin Latham; Ann Hirschy's family: Isaiah, Aunt Cindy, and brother; Ann Hirschy; Adell Gaurin; Carol Saylor; Carol Saylor’s family: sister-in-law who passed away of stomach cancer, and granddaughter being bullied at school; Ray Bussey's mother, Doris; Vaughn Brown; Arlyce Lohr; Dick Paronto; Amy Hagemann’s sister, Susan Pratt; Mary Benson’s sister; Bill Lifsey Sr., Amy Carskadon Lifsey’s father-in-law; Helen Wilkens' mother, Jane Reinert; Karen Dodson’s cousin, Miles and the family; Pam, Carrie Dodson's friend; Lewis Shorter; Jennifer Schwandt-Gayle, Lewis Shorter’s niece; Dot Forloine’s Family: Melisa Tucker Saatthoff (granddaughter) and Luke (great-grandson); Dot Forloines; Linda Taylor’s mother, Izola; Amy Goldberg’s grandmother, Ruth Cooper; Diane Johnson's Family: Uncle Ed, Aunt Janet, and Cousin Richard; Diane Johnson's friend, Tom; Shelley Franklin's father; James Franklin's sister-in-law, Kelli Franklin; Gunther Kurtz, Laurie Barrow’s nephew; Carl Hahn, Laura Doughty’s brother-in-law; Ruth Doughty, Paul Doughty's mother; Cheryl and Doug Walcutt’s Family:Cheryl Walcutt (mother of Cheryl), Judy (sister of Cheryl); Don Clark, friend of Cheryl Walcutt; Margaret Schade, Erika Sealing's grandmother; Rob Yeager’s friends: Greta Daughtrey and Peter Brown; Linda Jordan, Christy Yeager’s mother; Bonnie, Linda Jordan’s niece.