February is here! Always a great month – The Super Bowl, Ash Wednesday, Lenten studies, My Birthday. So many great things. There is one thing this February, however, that is a little different – I am starting my last semester in seminary. Three more months of killing myself to get everything done for all of my classes while still getting everything done for the church, while still being a good (well, decent) husband and spending enough quality time with Jen.

As I begin to look down this last little bit of tunnel and see the light at the end, I wanted to very intentionally take some time to say thank you to all of you for your consistent support over the last three years. It has been a difficult road, but I truly have felt the encouragement from the incredible Parker UMC family every step of the way.

I especially want to thank those of you who have supported me through contributions to the Clergy Scholarship Fund. The scholarship fund was established to help defray some of the costs of school for people who launch from PUMC into vocational ministry. As you know, academic programs are not cheap. However, because of your gifts there have been a number of us through the years who have benefitted greatly by being able to reduce or eliminate many of those student loans or credit card charges that would have otherwise followed us into ministry like a dragging anchor.

I bring this up because the mission of this fund is not ending with me. I pray that you will either begin or plan to continue contributing to the Clergy Scholarship Fund so that Cody and everyone who is called from PUMC after her will be able to afford the schooling that is necessary for vocational ministry in the UMC. In the twenty years I have been involved with PUMC, this church has consistently been a launchpad for incredible folks who have heard God’s call to ministry and have responded. There is no reason to believe that will end anytime soon. Without your financial support, however, many who feel called to serve might not be able to answer that call to the fullest extent. Please join me in supporting all the clergy-to-be who God will call in PUMC’s future.

God bless you all and thank you so much!            Pat