Dear Sewickley United Methodist Church,

I prayed for you. In October 2019, I requested a move on behalf of my family. Though this was a very difficult request to make, it was without a doubt a Spirit-led decision. After I made my request, I began to pray for the type of church that I would want to call home if my family and I were searching for a place to belong. A couple of items on that list included: a reconciling congregation; passionate about social justice matters; having deep ties within the community; selfishly and for my family, that there would not be a Saturday night service; and above all, passionate about sharing the love of Jesus Christ with the world. When I got the phone call that I was being offered the appointment as the Pastor of Sewickley United Methodist Church, I cried (you will learn I do this sometimes). It was the type of cry that follows an overwhelming sense of relief. I prayed for you, and God answered my prayers.

During times of transition, I like to reflect upon the last season of life. For my family and me, it has been a season of growth. Growth is not always easy, and it often hurts, but it brings a new perspective to pass on and share with others. I know from reading Pastor Russel’s goodbye letter, it too has been a season of growth for you. Sometimes painful and sometimes beautiful, but life giving growth. Though I look upon this next season with great excitement and anticipation, I know you might look upon it with a bit of heartache. The change for you means letting go of a beloved and well-respected pastor after 14 years. Please hear me say this is not a grief you have to just get over, but it is one we can navigate through together. You and I have faced many changes and much growth, and so has our nation. Unless we engage those changes faithfully, the growth does not follow.

In just a few short days, we will be celebrating the 4th of July. It is a time for picnics, yummy food, swimming, fireworks, and gratitude for our freedom. During these times, we must hear the cries of the protestors and recognize that some aren’t actually free. It would be unfaithful if we didn’t use our freedom to fight for the freedom of others. Our nation has undergone drastic changes from the pandemic to the protests that cannot be ignored and cannot be forgotten.

It is always good to reflect on where we have been, but let us learn from that to forge the path ahead. Let us enter this next season together and not forget that which has changed us, but instead learn from it. I prayed for you, and from what I understand, you prayed for me, too. It might not always be easy; it might not always be pretty, and we might not always understand the bigger picture. However, I trust that God does and brought us together for a purpose in the seasons to come. I will continue to pray for you, and I look forward to the time we get to pray together.

From one light to another,
Pastor Hannah Loughman

Photo by I Art Tangelo