Dear Friends,

I am so happy to finally be here in Coos Bay! I am excited to get to know each of you better, but for now, here is a little bit about myself. July 1 begins my 9^th year of pastoral ministry in the United Methodist Church. I have served as a Children’s Ministry and Christian Education Pastor, and a Solo pastor of 4 different churches – both big and small. I was ordained in 2006, and currently serve as the chairperson for the Episcopacy Committee. I have become a “jack of all trades” in ministry but my true love in ministry is preaching and teaching. Marshall and I are still newlyweds – we were married in Seaside, Oregon March 14, 2009. We welcomed our daughter, Eliana Rose on April 21, 2010. She is the joy of our lives!

As I gather together with each of you to provide pastoral support, I will pray for you, share my faith with you, and help you grow in your faith. I will be available for office hours beginning July 5, Monday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. I will sometimes be in the office in the afternoons as well, and plan to make a commitment to visitation on Wednesday and Thursday afternoons. My day off to be with my family will be Friday.

During my first few weeks and even this first year of ministry in Coos Bay, I am keenly aware of how reliant I am on each of you. I am reliant on each of you remembering to wear your nametags so I don’t have to say “Hey you over there!” I am reliant on you to tell me who among you has a prayer concern, or who has gone to the hospital, or who needs to be visited (you might be surprised to know that I do not have E.S.P.). I cannot make it in this ministry by myself! It is my hope that you lift me up in prayer, and help make this church one that continues to share the grace of God to the community of Coos Bay.

Together we need to lift each other up, bear one another’s burdens and share this ministry. Ministry is not just for the people who are called to be clergy - it is for everyone.  Jesus knew this, and that is why he sent the 70 “normal” people out to tell of the good news of God’s love and grace. If we are to transform our church, we all must lift this ministry up together: through our prayers, our presence, our gifts, our service, and our witness.

On behalf of my husband Marshall, and our daughter, Eliana, I want to thank you for your warm welcome! I can’t wait to take you up on all those “baby holding” promises, and introducing Eliana to the joys of her extended Christian family here in Coos Bay. We look forward to being in ministry together with you!

See you in church!

Pastor Laura

Dear Friends,

It has been my absolute pleasure to serve as your pastor for the last three and half years. This is a wonderfully supportive congregation, and I think we’ve seen a lot of growth in the time I’ve been here. I know that I have certainly grown as a pastor, and I want to thank you all of you for the encouragement you’ve given me.

After much prayerful consideration, I have decided to submit applications for continued academic study in Biblical Studies. I intend to return to school for another master’s degree, followed immediately by a PhD in New Testament. I have submitted applications to Iliff School of Theology in Denver, Colorado and Vancouver School of Theology in Vancouver, British Columbia, and I hope to hear something within the next few months.

This means that this will likely be my last year as your pastor.