A Pastoral Letter of Transition: With Gratitude, Love, and Hope

“For everything there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven.” –Ecclesiastes 3:1

Dear Beloved One,

For the past five years, Sanctuary UCC and Hillside Community Church have shared something truly remarkable. What began as a “Lockdown Easter” experiment became a life-giving partnership—one that helped both of our communities not just survive, but grow stronger during one of the most challenging times in recent memory. Together, we navigated the pandemic, supporting one another in prayer, presence, and creativity. We invested in and amplified each other’s ministries, discovered new strengths and spiritual capacities, and expanded our reach in ways neither of us could have done alone. It has been a gift beyond measure.

Some of you have been directly involved; others may be hearing parts of this story for the first time. Whether you’ve been present every step of the way or are just now learning about this chapter, this letter is written with all of you in mind—with care, honesty, and deep gratitude.

As you may already know, our two congregations will not be merging. In real terms, this means that the partnership between these two UCC congregations has come to an end. This decision carries a shared sense of disappointment and loss. Many had hoped—even expected—that our shared ministry might grow into a more permanent union, and we grieve that this vision will not be realized. It is a tender time.  

In any season of transition, grief may show up in unexpected ways. We may feel a sense of loss, disorientation, or longing. We may even find ourselves bargaining—wishing things could have gone differently, imagining alternate outcomes. Some may miss the familiar rhythm of shared Sundays and the delightful diversity of gifts brought to our cross-congregational collaboration. These are all signs that what we built together mattered—and that it will not be easily forgotten.

Rev. Tom has already extended an invitation for you to continue participating in both Hillside and Sanctuary’s worship, formation, mission, and ministries going forward. I wholeheartedly affirm that spirit of openness, even as my ministry at Hillside has come to a close. Though we may not share physical space, I warmly welcome you to the ministries of Sanctuary UCC.

It has been my great honor to serve as one of the pastors in this partnership. I have experienced inspiration, love, and so much joy in this role—including (maybe especially) from the children, whose laughter and wisdom have moved me deeply. I am profoundly grateful for every potluck and communion meal shared, for the generosity that overflowed through our food ministries, for every messy moment embraced, every tough question asked, every lesson learned, every sacred story woven—and for the sacred music that lifted our spirits and deepened our worship. All of it has been a holy offering that drew us closer to the Divine and to one another.

Most of all, I want you to know how deeply I love you. It has been one of the great blessings of my life to walk this path with you. We did great church together, and I will miss all of it.

To all of our Hillside friends who opened their hearts to the unique gifts and graces that Sanctuary brought to the partnership: thank you. If we have fallen short in any way during this shared journey, we ask your forgiveness and carry those lessons with humility and care. Thank you for making room for us during this blessed time and for sharing yourselves on behalf of love and justice. You have left your mark on our hearts, and together we left our mark on our city and on the world.

To all of our Sanctuary friends who have supported our investment in this time of shared ministry: thank you. As we have always done, we have creatively and wholeheartedly given all that we are to building beloved community and making love and justice real. I am proud of what we have brought to this partnership and of who we have become.

To our Community Partners who have witnessed our shared journey: thank you. We hope you will continue to support both of our congregations as we move forward—divergent now in structure, but not in purpose. Our shared call to love, to justice, and to beloved community still unites us—and that call will sustain us as we go.

In the short term, Sanctuary UCC will continue to offer Sunday Spiritual Circles (online at 8:30 am and 5:30 pm), live out love in daily practice, and tend to our relationships—checking in with members and community collaborators, listening deeply for God’s call, and ensuring that our arts-centered gatherings, city-wide justice efforts, and central commitments remain grounded and strong. In the longer term, we will continue discerning the kind of mission and ministry presence we are called to cultivate—building bold arts and justice partnerships, leaning into our values of innovation and inclusion, centering healing and wholeness, and inviting others into deep dialogue and spiritual formation. 

If you are reading this and have questions or would like to talk more about this transition, I would be honored to have that conversation with you. Please don’t hesitate to reach out <Wendy@Sanctuaryucc.org>

May we always be a blessing to our neighbors—rooted in love, shaped by justice, and sustained by hope.

With deep gratitude

Rev. Wendy — Pastor, Sanctuary UCC

I thank my God every time I remember you, constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you, because of your sharing in the gospel from the first day until now. –Philippians 1:3-5