Pastor Dan Smith has shared big news. After 20 years with First Church, Dan will be leaving his role as our Senior Minister at the end of June. As Dan shared in his letter, we know this significant change comes at a time when other things are changing all around us. At all times, but especially in the season of Lent, our tradition invites us to lean into prayer and spiritual practice, and to find courage in God and in our community.

As we move through a time of pastoral leavetaking and transition, we ask God’s blessing upon our grief, our gratitude, and our discernment of next steps – including searching for an Interim Minister and planning for Dan’s farewell.  In this tender time, we invite your prayers for Dan and his family, and for our First Church community and its leaders as we prepare to say goodbye and open our hearts to what comes next.

You can find updates from Dan and from our two Transition Teams on the “Transition at First Church” page of our website.