The Reverend Douglas J. Brouwer, Pastor of First Presbyterian Church, has accepted a call to be pastor/head of staff of First Presbyterian Church in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. His last Sunday with us will be April 5, 2009, at which time the congregation will have the opportunity to thank Doug for his ministry.

The Session, our church's governing body, has already begun making plans for going forward. Presbytery Executive Rev. Al Timm has met with us and outlined near-term staffing possibilities. We will be meeing in April to determine what model will serve our needs most fully and will communicate these decisions to the congregation as soon as they are made. In the meantime, Session has requested that the Presbytery of Detroit appoint the Reverend Budge Gere to serve as temporary head of staff and Moderator of Session. Budge and the Reverend Melissa Anne Rogers have already worked out the preaching schedule though May to ensure the pulpit is filled.

A reception to thank Doug and honor Doug and Susan's time with us will be held in the Social Hall following the 11:00 a.m. service on Sunday, April 5 (Palm Sunday). We invite members and friends of the congregation to join us at that time to wish Doug and his wife Susan Godspeed. If you wish to give an expression of thanks to Doug for his ministry at First Presbyterian, either a monetary gift or a card, please leave it in the Church Office or mail it to the church.

While we will miss Doug and what he has brought to our church, we as a congregation are blessed to have a dedicated staff whose capabilities and commitment to the church will allow us to continue to meet the needs of the congregation and prepare for our next pastor. We ask for your prayers for Doug and Susan, for our staff, for the leadership of the church and for our congregation.

In Christ, The Session

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