The Session of First Church has graciously extended to me the honorary title of Pastor Emeritus effective January 1, 2024. This new title will allow me to continue to have an official relationship with our church long after I have formally gone off its payroll. Since my wife Jeanne and I expect to live here in Southwest Florida for the rest of our lives, it is a great comfort for us to know that we will have a place in this church family. I will also remain involved as a volunteer in whatever ministries Pastor Brad and the Session request.
We anticipate my shifting from the church payroll to the Presbyterian Church pension plan (which our church and I have invested in for years) starting July 1, 2023. I will then take a few months as a sabbatical to unwind and decompress from full-time ministry, and I look forward to re-engaging in church activities when next year’s season begins.
During my sabbatical, we will travel (including visiting family and friends in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Virginia). We also hope to play more of Southwest Florida’s wonderful golf courses during the reciprocal season. I have my usual long list of books to read and am taking up the game of chess again. While several have helpfully offered suggestions to me of what I can do with my new free time, I want to take a while to reflect and make sure I am listening to the Lord rather than just jumping into something else to keep me busy.
This April of 2023 marks the end of 19 years of service to First Church, and the Session has indicated that it would like to plan a celebration for my twentieth anniversary in April 2024. That is a milestone I eagerly look forward to with profound gratitude for God’s blessing and the love we have felt from this amazing congregation.
by Pastor Doug Pratt
