July 23, 2024

Dear Siblings in Christ,

I write this letter with a deep sense of gratitude for the extravagant hospitality and genuine excitement you have shown our new Senior Pastor, Rev. Sharon Williams. As you have already experienced, Pastor Sharon is a joy and blessing. I know that as you continue to get to know her, you will feel a great sense of gratitude as well. God is good, and God has blessed Desert Spring by sending us Pastor Sharon! As we continue our welcoming and support of Pastor Sharon and her ministry, there are 2 upcoming opportunities that are important to our congregation.

The first opportunity is this Saturday, July 27th, from 4:30-7:30. Dinner will be provided. The event is called “Onboarding” and is being led by the Annual Conference Director of New Faith and Vital Faith Communities, Rev. Rachel Gilmore. This event provides a contextual way for the New Pastor and Leaders of the church to begin to build trust and to get to learn more about each other. I am confident the event will be meaningful, and I encourage you to attend.

Dinner will be available during the Onboarding event, and we would like to make sure we provide enough for everyone. Please RSVP as soon as possible but no later than 2:00pm on Thursday, July 25, to give us time to order the food 48 hours in advance. Click this link to RSVP: Pastor Sharon’s Onboarding – Desert Spring United Methodist Church.

The second opportunity is to join one of the many “Listening Sessions” being scheduled. The Listening Sessions provide an opportunity for you to share with Pastor Sharon your hopes and dreams for Desert Spring. These sessions will help Pastor Sharon get to know Desert Spring! Listening Sessions are available online and in person. You can RSVP in the Connection Center on Sunday, by emailing Jodi Tyra at sprc@desertspringchurch.com, or by visiting Listening Groups – Desert Spring United Methodist Church.

This is an exciting time for Desert Spring, one filled with hope and opportunity. God is at work through this overlap period, and I can hardly wait to see what God is going to do next! Please join me in praying for Pastor Sharon as she leads us forward.

God bless you,
Pastor Dave