The book of Ecclesiastes teaches us that, “For everything, there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven.”
It is with bittersweet emotions that I share with you that, with 35 years to my credit, my season as an active, itinerant United Methodist pastor is coming to an end. I submitted my request for retirement to Bishop Seanz and his cabinet and that request has been approved.
My retirement will be effective July 1, 2024. I, however, will be starting a sabbatical effective April 1, 2024. My last day pastoring here at the church will be on Easter Sunday, March 31, 2024.
Hamilton Park UMC is a vital congregation that continues to make a difference in so many lives. Thank you for allowing me to be your pastor. Thank you for your support, love, and teamwork. We accomplished a lot during my tenure and I will look back with pride at all we did together.
In 1981, God called me into ministry and I did not know what was next. I graduated from Spelman College and came straight to Dallas to attend seminary at SMU. I completely trusted God to lead me into ministry and I am trusting God to lead me out. Dallas has been good to me. I’d only planned to be here 5 years, and it has been 43.
I have watched many of you retire and it looks like fun. I am going to the house to sit, rest, reflect and restore. Immediately upon retirement, we anticipate splitting time between Texas and North Carolina. We do anticipate moving to North Carolina full-time.
Dr. Sheron C. Patterson