10.31.2024 - A MESSAGE FROM PASTOR DEBBIE KIRK

 

Dear Hudson Friends,

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I share this news as a significant part of the pastoral transition at HMPC.  It turns out that at the same time Mac was discerning his next call, I was also considering a change in the focus of my ministry. About two years ago,  I intentionally took a “sabbatical” from most of my Presbytery responsibilities to be more involved with some of the organizations whose causes I support.  Then a few months ago, one of those organizations contacted me asking if I might be interested in working with them in a position they had open.  While I did not pursue it, it piqued my imagination as to what a “second act” of ministry might look like for me. Since 1981, my professional ministry has been serving local congregations and it became clear to me that to open up my life for something different, the time is right to retire from active ministry on January 31, 2025.

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Simultaneously, Mac and I shared our news with each other in the same conversation. It was important that this information was only divulged to the Personnel Committee until we celebrated Mac’s ministry with us and blessed him as he left for his new congregation. In the meantime, the Personnel Committee and Session asked me to serve as your Bridge Interim Pastor, and I happily agreed. We have an incredibly gifted staff, and together with all of you we are moving forward just as we always do.

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The process for ending our formal relationship is essentially the same as it was with Mac. HMPC and New Hope Presbytery will affirm my next steps as I have requested.  What is different is that we are not bound to a short timeline because I am retiring rather than accepting another installed position. I will still be living in Raleigh so I won’t be going far, just in a different direction than the one we have shared for so long.

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For twenty years it has been a sacred privilege to be with you through each and every season, including numerous staff and pastoral transitions. Now we have entered another season in our life together, and though I will not be going on the interim journey with you, I am grateful that I am able to help you prepare for it and the interim leadership who will be here. I believe that God opened the space for new directions—for Mac and for me in our individual journeys and for our beloved congregation.

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I am aware it is a lot for both installed pastors to leave at the same time. However, I am confident God will guide you in finding the right people to fill these positions. I am fully committed to our shared ministry for the next three months, and I am excited about all we have going on through the end of the year: Stewardship conclusion and prayerfully creating the 2025 budget, Children’s Sabbath, end-of-the-year events, the Advent/Christmas Season, and more.

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Please know how I dearly wish I could have shared this discernment and decision with each of you in-person. Now that this is public, we can talk freely together. We are blessed to have these next few months, so please invite me to join your activities, classes, gatherings, and meetings for fellowship, and/or there are things you need assistance with.  The Interim Pastor Search Committee has been selected and is getting to work. I am not a part of the search, though of course, I am happy to discuss the transition process with you. After the first of the year we will plan on saying goodbye, for now we will go forward in faith, hope, and love that are the strength of our community.

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With gratitude for all the ways you minister to me and one another.

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Grace and Peace,

Debbie