Friends,
Over the last week, several folks in the congregation have been kind enough to ask how I’m processing the recent news that Talitha has taken a call to serve as a Chaplain at the Children’s Hospital. I’d like to share a bit of what’s been going through my mind.
First and foremost, I’m really happy for Talitha. She has a strong sense of call to this new position, and it’s wonderful anytime anyone is able to find work that matches their deepest longing. And I’m especially happy when someone I like finds a deeply satisfying call. Selfishly, I’m sad to see Talitha go. She has been a fantastic co-worker and neighbor and I’m sorry to see those relationships change, but I’m also confident that we will remain friends and I’m grateful for that.
Talitha has worked at MPC for nearly ten years, seven of which were in the capacity of Associate Pastor. That is quite a bit longer than most people stay in their first ordained call, especially as an associate pastor. I am grateful for all the time and energy and work she has given to MPC for so many years. Ours is a better church family for Talitha’s work with us.
I’m also grateful for the ways Talitha has been a pastor to me and to my family. There are so many reasons to feel gratitude.
To be honest, in the week or so that I’ve known about Talitha’s pending departure, I’ve had moments of worry as I wonder about who will fill the position Talitha is vacating, but many years ago, as I was preparing to leave my first call, a mentor of mine responded to my concerns about leaving my little congregation in the Salinas Valley by saying that if God was calling me to serve a new Church, God was also calling someone else to fill the pulpit I was vacating. The same is true here. I am confident that Talitha is following the Holy One’s call; I’m equally confident the Holy One is calling someone else to us.
There will be a lot to discern and to figure out over the next several months as we work and pray our way through this transition. Please keep the whole MPC family in prayer as we look to the future. Please keep Talitha, Michael, and Ziggy in your prayers as well. And pray for whoever it is God is calling to minister to this congregation on the banks of Temescal Creek.
God’s Peace,
Ben