March is normally when Cabinets in the United Methodist Church convene to make appointments for the following season (July – June). And yes, March Madness (as I have heard many clergy spouses refer to appointment season) is here for the UMC. United Methodist pastor’s sign up for the itinerant life. They serve at a church and every so often they are moved at the request of the Bishop and Cabinet. Pastors move as they fill church appointments for a retiring pastor, possibly a new church start, or sometimes a pastor feels like he/she has done what needs to be done and God is calling them to move on. And there are also those unfortunate times when a pastor and congregation are not working well together, and it is the best interest for everyone that the pastor leaves. Most of the time when a pastor moves, it is the right time for everyone involved.

My husband is serving his third appointment at Hamlin Memorial UMC in Farwell, Texas. We have been here almost two years. Last week he received a call from his District Superintendent and was offered to move to First United Methodist Church of Belen, NM to fill an opening for a retiring pastor. This call completely took us by surprise, and after a time of prayer, my husband accepted the appointment.

But it was not a moment of joy after he received the call, it was a sad moment for us both. We never dreamed that this little town of 1,300 people on the TX/NM border would serve as a haven for our family. The people of Farwell have loved us with an amazing, radical kind of hospitality and love that I have never experienced. Many knew we were coming in, wounded from a past hurt, and they gave us the space we needed to grieve that loss as we welcomed them into our hearts.

Today my husband announced that we would be leaving in June and during the closing hymn, I fought back tears. I have just started getting to know some people well, my son has friends, we love our little parsonage, and the church is filled with some of the most faithful people I’ve ever known. But Joe and I know that God is calling us to a new church. It’s hard to explain and sometimes even understand, but that is part of the life of a United Methodist clergy family. You go where you are called and hopefully you are listening.

I’m not ready to say goodbye just yet. What I know is that there is still work to be done, there is still ministry that needs to happen, and plenty of love to share. And that is what I am going to do. I am going to be present in my community, listen and love well.

Today I Am Thankful For:

1. 70-degree weather
2. Veggie chips
3. A spunky, one-eyed dog
4. Lunch with a good friend
5. Time left to be in community with my church