A Ritual to Release

You are invited to participate in a ritual to release with this video.

Below the video is the letter that Mandy wrote to the congregation on July 23 to say goodbye.

Dear Plymouth,

I am writing to you today with some difficult news. On Tuesday, I tendered my resignation as  Director of Christian Formation for Children and Youth effective August 15, 2020. That is a special day to me, because it is our 6th year anniversary together.  It has truly been an honor to serve you in this role for so long and I will forever be grateful for our ministry together.

We have had an incredible six years together, full of growth, transitions, blessings, challenges, laughter and tears. You welcomed me into your community when I was fresh off my honeymoon and moved from Michigan to be with Chris while he finished his PhD at CSU. You welcomed me into your homes and into your lives. It has been my privilege to watch your kids grow up - from nursery to elementary and from elementary to highschool and beyond. I smiled when the toddler who wouldn’t let go of their parent’s hand, started running with joy to their classroom. I watched as the shy sixth grader refused to get out of the car for youth group, grew into a confident leader. I was there when the La Foret camper became a counselor, creating holy mischief with the younger kids.

I have so many wonderful memories of our time together. For example, watching the youth hide easter eggs on the roof because they were so excited as kids when they found them there; the trips to Wendy’s on our way down to La Foret and always showing up late on Friday night because of the bad traffic; the joy of seeing our teens and college students dress up for the 3pm Christmas service, with the tallest angel and gender bending holy family; walking down the hallway in the north wing and getting hugs and smiles from the kiddos who wanted to share their art projects with me; and all of the meetings, storytelling and scheming over a pint of cider at Scrumpy’s. You have filled my heart with joy and I have felt so loved by each of you. I pray that you know you are loved and that you have been blessed by our time together as much as I have.

I am so grateful for the volunteers that brought life and light to the programs, who helped them go from (sometimes crazy) ideas to transformative ministries. I am humbled by the countless hours and love that you have poured into the life of this church. I am grateful for all of the child care staff members who have taught me how to be a better manager and leader. I am grateful to the staff members who have walked with me on this journey of faithfully serving God and serving you. I am grateful to all of the parents who trusted me with a small part of their children’s spiritual development. I am grateful for the children and youth who let me walk alongside them as they grew deeper in faith, as they pushed back against church, as they asked questions and began to articulate their own beliefs. It has been my honor to be a part of your journey. You will never know how much you taught, challenged and blessed me.

Together we experimented with new ways of doing Christian Formation in a progresive setting. I have been amazed by the creativity and energy that so many of you put into the children and youth ministries. Your willingness to change and try new things blew me away. I am tempted to list all the different iterations of the Formation ministries over the years, but you know them. We did the hard work of change, growth and evolution together. Yes, there were some spectacular failures along the way, and I hope that you will forgive me for them. Your strength, resilience and faith allowed us to keep trying hard things. I pray that you continue to dream big for your children’s faith development and your own. For the past six years, you didn’t let the familiar overshadow your potential for growth. May you continue to be brave and to listen for God to speak and move in your ministry.

It is time for me to be brave and step out of the boat. Through prayer I have discerned a new call to Hospice ministry and I have accepted a position as Chaplain at Dignity Hospice of Colorado.  I feel called to hold a sacred space for individuals and families as they grapple with the reality of death. It will be hard work, but it will be good work.

I am thankful for all that I have learned from my time at Plymouth. We have been through a lot together. I am truly grateful for all the ways that this church and its ministry has challenged me, encouraged me, and helped me to grow as a person and as a minister. Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!

Grace and Peace,
Mandy

Author

Mandy Hall began her ministry at Plymouth in August 15, 2014 and will finish it August 15, 2020. She is originally from Michigan where she followed her call to ministry to become a Deacon in the United Methodist Church. Her passion is helping young people grow in faith in creative and meaningful ways.