Greetings in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ!  What an exciting time to be a disciple who worships and serves the Lord at Willoughby Hills United Methodist Church!  Though we are going through so many transitions, there has been an increase of energy, passion, and commitment as we have stepped out in faith in numerous areas of ministry.  We have transitioned from two worship services to one, now meeting at 10 a.m., which gives us an opportunity to add more small groups on Sunday mornings as well as throughout the week.  We have blended our worship services so that we encounter worship with both our Praise Team and our Choir. We are using both current praise songs as well as timeless hymns in our new worship experience. In addition, we have held training for those who are serving as greeters and ushers for our worship together.  As we prepare for pastoral change, we are paving the way for an interim pastor, Rev. Dana Flemming, as well as our pastor who will assume the Lead Pastor position in September… Rev. Bruce Hitchcock. We celebrate the transition into using new church software, a new website, and church directory.  In short, this is a season of change and we see God’s hand at work at every turn!  We also have exciting opportunities coming up in our Children and Youth Ministry! Both our Youth Mission Trip and Sports Camp are right around the corner.  Please uphold all of these changes in prayer.

As your current pastor, I wish you to know that it has been a privilege and an honor to serve you all.  Pastor Jan and I will be moving to Massillon, Ohio (closer to the equator) and living in the home that we recently purchased.  From there, I will serve the Westbrook Park United Methodist Church in Canton, Ohio.  Jan will be serving the Mt. Tabor United Methodist Church in East Canton, Ohio. Companies that conduct surveys have concluded time and time again that the greatest stressors people claim to have are: 1) Moving, 2) Change of Job, and 3) Public Speaking.  Jan and I will be doing all three at the end of June… and we covet your prayers!  Thank you all so much for the opportunity to serve you!  Please remember how important it is for you to be minding God’s business.

Love God!  Love One Another!  Make Disciples of Jesus Christ!  In short, GO! GIVE’EM HEAVEN!

Rev. Scott Walsh