February 2008

Dear friends,

I want to thank the congregation for all your prayers, cards and good wishes during my brief hospitalization and recovery, and especially Rev. Bill Norman for his readiness to take over with only a few hours notice. Janet (my wife) reached Bill while he and Ginny were enroute home from Florida.

You have been so kind and caring. I now well understand the heart of compassion at Mulberry Street United Methodist Church.

Your new pastor was announced in worship January 27 and I extend my welcome to Rev. and Mrs. Warren (Betsey) Outhwaite. They will move to Mount Vernon with their daughter, Abigail, following Annual Conference. I knew Warren when he was pastor of the Broadway UMC in New Philadelphia. We shared in the wedding of my nephew and later in the summer of 2001 I was a member of Warren’s team of Spiritual Directors for a Men’s Walk to Emmaus. Warren will bring maturity and solid Christian leadership to Mulberry Street UMC.

Warren will have the privilege of working with three new, bright, young staff members – Sarah Yoakam, Office Secretary, Elizabeth Boskovich, Director of Music and Matt Diffenderfer, Outreach Coordinator. Your Staff Parish Relations Committee, Tim Cook, Chairman, carefully selected them, and all are carrying out their ministry with enthusiasm and commitment. I am pleased that Linda Boyette will continue in her valued role as pianist/organist and “lifter of spirits” through her musical offerings.

Though my time with you has some limitations I have been asked to receive several persons into membership. I will help prepare these persons through several new member classes which will be offered, Feb. 10, 17, 24 and March 2 with those who wish being received into membership on Palm Sunday, March 16. If there are those of you reading this who wish to be part of this group please speak to me or call the church office.

Even in the midst of change and transition the ministry of the Church goes on. Thanks be to God.

Grateful to be serving as your Interim Pastor,

Irwin E. Jennings