A Pastor Passes

Nineteen days before, she began an exciting new chapter of her life.

She had become a full time pastor of her own church. After many years spent in the insurance industry, she entered seminary and began a campus ministry at a university known for its technology education. Eight years in that challenging field – bringing pastoral care to young adults questioning everything in life – she moved to another campus ministry calling in downtown Chicago serving three campuses. In a few short years she was called to a part time pastorate at an aging south side church that had a dim future due to aging demographics.

Now in midlife Pastor Megan answered the call to pastor her own church full time in suburban Chicago. She bought a car for the first time in seven years, said good bye to many friends and boldly stepped into her new job. The congregation was expectant and over joyed at her promise with them. She was a breath of fresh air and calm. Sweet, too. Wise well beyond her years, we ached to know her better.

And then it was gone, both the promise and the ache to know her better. She died in her sleep leaving many behind who wondered how all this came to be.

The ‘little church that can’ faced another challenge. To pick up the pieces and return to the business of calling another new pastor. The Bishop and Synod office jumped into action; we have an interim pastor returning to us; he had left 7 weeks ago in preparation for Pastor Megan’s arrival. We will gladly welcome him back to our church family as we seek our way forward with new circumstances. The Call Committee can and probably will be called back to service and re-open the search for a new pastor. Time will tell how this unfolds, but for now it is comforting to know that many are ready and willing to jump back into action for the good of the congregation.

Meanwhile we ponder what has happened and ask the age old question, ‘Why?’ It will take time to come to grips with any and all answers to that question. The process of seeking will bring its own rewards and peace. We pray for that to come sooner rather than later. In the meantime we grieve a loss we do not yet understand.

Peace and Glory be to you Pastor Megan. Shalom.

September 26, 2017