Dear Suncreek UMC

In the iconic opening song of his TV show, Mister Rogers sings, “It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood, a beautiful day for a neighbor. Would you be mine?” That song has echoed in my head and heart the past several weeks as I prepare for the wonderful new opportunity of becoming your neighbor and pastor. The several times I have driven up to the church building have certainly confirmed that it is a beautiful neighborhood at Suncreek UMC, not just in the beauty of God’s creation around the church, but also the beauty of the spirit of the place and all that I have heard already of your commitment to being good, faithful neighbors.

I am thrilled to begin a new year of ministry with all the people of Suncreek UMC and all our neighbors in Allen and the surrounding areas. From the moment I met with your Staff-Parish Relations Committee, I was immediately encouraged by your hospitality and commitment to community. I quickly sensed that your neighborhood is full of so many diverse gifts and perspectives. I’m sure Mister Rogers put it more eloquently than I can, but it is through those unique experiences and ways of being in the world that I am convinced we can learn to value one another and encounter the divine love that is uniquely manifested in each other. I cannot wait to support this vibrant community and each individual person that makes Suncreek the great congregation it is.

My family and I look forward to getting to know you and listening to your stories and learning what moves your souls. We, especially our 3 year old Lucy, are excited not only to support and invest in the worshipping community of Suncreek, but also the wonderful preschool! As Lucy (and eventually our 1 year old, Isaac) learns more there and in the children’s ministries of the church, I look forward to learning with and from you as we all journey deeper and deeper into the love of God expressed fully throughout our world.

The apostle Paul writes, “So deeply do we care for you that we are determined to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves” (1 Thessalonians 2:8). I hope that is the kind of neighborly energy I have demonstrated in every church that I have been privileged to serve, and it is certainly my driving goal as I begin to do ministry with you all at Suncreek. If nothing else, it is that inspiration, along with my deep excitement, that is guiding me through these few more weeks until I have the pleasure of meeting you in person!

Patrick Littlefield