Dear Reverend Robinson-Johnson
and Sisters and Brothers of National United Methodist Church:
Grace and Peace to you in the Name of Jesus Christ our Lord!
As United Methodist followers of Jesus Christ, we claim a rich heritage of our doctrine and Christian theology, while examining and responding in reflection and actions to political ethics, policy, and the challenges of our time.
It is with humble gratitude that I want to express my continuing appreciation of you. I want to specifically thank you, Rev. Doug, the church council chair, the lay leader, and the members of Wesley Campus, members of Metropolitan Memorial Campus, and the members of St. Luke’s for the wonderful farewell drive-by last Sunday to celebrate the completion of my role as a Wesley Campus pastor. It has been my joy and honor to serve National UMC these past eleven months. Even more than that, it has been a blessing to serve with you, and to witness your faithful journey on many levels. As a congregation, and as individuals and leaders, you have brought a multitude of blessings to my family and I. I am exceedingly thankful to God for my time at National UMC.
As a student pastor I am continuing on to complete my last year of seminary and, as you know, I brought Anapuli from Seattle to be with me. I was extremely blessed by the teaching and guidance offered to Anapuli at Sunday School, as well as in youth programs. She brought as many as four of her school friends on various Sundays and a cousin from Seattle. I recall a time when I was asked “did you feed them before they came to Sunday School?” That tells me that her friends will have a story to tell. The kindness and hospitality of the faith community at Coffee Hour will always shine before Anapuli and her friends. I am grateful for the kindness, loving and support. Because of your leadership and faith, I have learned more from you, more than I have taught you. I have been blessed with all of your advise and guidance.
Just three months into my role we celebrated the 190th anniversary of the Wesley Campus. We also celebrated Thanksgiving with The Asylum Seeker Assistant Project. Then, I think of the UMW Recognition Luncheon, as well as the Cozy Christmas event and Kwanzaa celebrations, most of which were new to me, but the fruition of those efforts will definitely impact a lot of people in the community. Our Vision 2020 has brought the breadth of ministries to a new level where I recognize the unique gifts of Wesley.
In the last five months, we entered a new realm of worship choices and yet embraced the technology that opens new gates to doing worship, education, and work. Thank you for all of your efforts, compassion, and commitment to the vision that has had a great and positive impact in a lot of lives, whether through the food drive or blood drive, or online donations. I noticed the dedication even further in seeking to strengthen, deepen, and feed individual parishioner’s spiritual journey and social lives in various bible, video, and book studies, including the newest Racial Justice Team. That is what being followers of Jesus Christ is all about. I am grateful for your faith as you’re giving more of your time, money, and efforts to help our sisters and brothers in need at such a time as this. I am filled with joy with your generosity, sacrifice, and commitment to hard work.
We know that work must continue and my studies have to be completed. God is calling us to raise new leaders and I am praying and thank God for you who are willing to be at the table sharing bread together, be a voice together, and illuminate God’s work together.
It has been my privilege to serve as your pastor for the past eleven months, and I look forward to many more years of God’s calling for the mission and transformation “to go out to the world and make disciples of Jesus Christ.” All of this was made possible by many of the contributions you have made in equipping me and allowing me to grow for the ministry ahead. Again, let me say thank you for the wonderful farewell, cards and gifts including the beautiful pictures of Wesley church and members, e-mails, text messages, social media messages, and phone calls amongst many blessings. Thank you for your faithful witness and ministry.
It is my joy to share ministry with you. Be assured of my constant prayers and I hold each and every one of you in my heart and will be sending you love, blessings, and encouragement from Wesley Seminary. May you all continue to shine Jesus Christ’s light in DC and throughout the world.
Sincerely,