2024 is bringing some exciting news, but it is admittedly bittersweet news.
Before I dig into the news, let’s talk about Merriam-Webster’s definition of bittersweet:
bit·ter·sweet ˈbi-tər-ˌswēt (adjective)
Merriam-Webster
: being at once bitter and sweet
especially: pleasant but including or marked by elements of suffering or regret
Here’s the news…
- On Sunday, January 14th the congregation of Providence Forge Presbyterian Church held a congregational meeting to call me as their next pastor. This is the video that was shared with them to get to know me better.
- On Wednesday, January 17th the session of Salisbury Presbyterian Church and then the congregation received this letter:
Beloved Siblings in Christ at SPC,
It is with a sad but certain heart that I write this letter of resignation as your Associate Pastor for Christian Education and Discipleship at Salisbury Presbyterian Church, effective February 14, 2024. On Sunday, January 14th, the congregation of Providence Forge Presbyterian Church (near New Kent, Virginia) voted to call me as their next Pastor. The decision to transition to a new call has not been an easy one, but I believe it is guided by God’s divine plan for us all. As I embark on this new chapter, I carry the lessons learned, the bonds formed, and the spiritual richness gained from our time together.
It has truly been an honor and privilege to be one of your pastors over these past 2.5 years. You will forever have a special place in my heart as my first call, where we have been with one another through some of life’s greatest joys and deepest struggles. Together we have laughed and cried, worshiped and prayed, loved and served. Together we have celebrated births and grieved deaths, and walked together through life’s joys and trials. There is no way one letter can fully encapsulate the depths of my gratitude and my love for you.
Nor can this letter detail the depths of my love for the team here on staff, the session (past and present), and deacons (past and present). I am in awe of the people I have had the privilege of serving alongside, learning from, and growing because of their guidance. It has been a dream to work with this team, and I will miss each person fiercely. A special bit of thanks to Jim and to Nate, in whose great and capable hands I leave you. I’m so grateful for their patience, love, and servant hearts. They love you deeply, have loved me greatly, and I will miss serving alongside them here in this place.
It is my prayer that you will continue to be a place that welcomes all and delights in new ways to impact the church and the world. You have a gift for love and when it’s guided by God it will do remarkable things to transform the world. I pray that joy and nothing less finds you along the way. As surely as I believe that God is guiding me in this decision, I also believe that God will guide you in finding a new rhythm with Jim and Nate.
I am excited to discover what God has in store for me, but my heart breaks to leave those I love so dear. Boundaries in transitions are hard, but they are what allows for a smooth transition. In accordance with presbytery policy, I will observe a period of one year of no communication which includes social media. During this time, I encourage the congregation to embrace and engage with Jim and Nate in ways that you may not have already. I believe that this intentional time of disconnection from me will foster stronger relationships and enable a seamless transition. After this one-year period, I will not initiate communication. Please know that silence and lack of response during this time of disconnection is not out of animosity or lack of love, but out of an abundance of love for you to allow for a healthy transition for you with Jim and Nate, and for me with PFPC. I trust that the bonds we have formed will endure, and I am confident that our paths will cross again in the future.
In the coming weeks, I am committed to ensuring a smooth transition. I am open to discussing any details regarding the transition process and will do my best to assist in any way possible. My last day of service at SPC will be February 11, 2024 and I am more than willing to collaborate with you to ensure a seamless handover of responsibilities.
From now until February 11th, I will continue to pastor this church, engaging fully in the good and important ministry we have yet to do together and the hard but grace filled process of saying goodbye. I ask for your prayers and understanding as we all make this transition. Once again, thank you for the warmth and acceptance my family and I have experienced at SPC. I pray for continued blessings upon the church and its work both here and beyond.
Grace + Peace + Love,
Letter by Rev. Crystal Varner Parker to the Session, Deacons, Staff, and Congregation of Salisbury Presbyterian Church
The complicated feelings on pastoral transitions
The best word to describe how I am feeling is bittersweet. While I am unbelievably excited to be called to Providence Forge Presbyterian Church as their next pastor, I am deeply sad to leave all the people I love at Salisbury Presbyterian Church. Pastoral transitions are filled with so many mixed emotions for the pastor and their congregation. Excitement over what’s to come, and sadness of relationships ending. When a pastor is married and has children, this adds another level of feelings and complication to the mix. Not only do I have relationships and bonds with the church I serve, so do my husband and daughters. Discerning whether or not to accept a new call was a family affair, and it was not made easily. I’m deeply grateful for the grace, love, and excitement shared from the members of Salisbury, but share in their grief in the change in our relationship. My family and I will miss them so much.
I would be remiss if I did not talk about Providence Forge Presbyterian Church, their PNC (pastor nominating committee), and Rev. Dr. Cindy Kissel-Ito (their covenant pastor). They have been a beacon of so much love and excitement. I am excited that God has called us together and excited for all that is to come.
HebrewDawn 