A filled sanctuary, serious handclapping, amazing music, sad but rejoicing hearts and a dozen years of service for the Rev. Dave Felker and several for the Rev. Deb Hoffman as well, marked their joint farewell service, although this day's focus was on Pastor Felker. Pastor Hoffman had been honored after a usual Saturday evening service the week previous.

The Rev. Felker was retiring from active ministry as pastor and the Rev. Hoffman was about to begin her ministry at Wooddale UMC church in the eastern part of Monroe."Wow!" was Pastor Felker's reaction to the filled pews during that service and the music by the Praise Team, which followed the prelude and two letters from retired Pastor and Mrs. Jack Rule as read by Mrs. Pat Mackes, member of three church committees.The Felkers' letter lauded Pastor Dave and his wife Ruth Ann's many years of service to Effort UMC, who have served the Effort congregation for 12 years.The Hoffman letter recognized Pastor Deb's service and her husband Warren's support.Pastor Deb began attending Effort UMC in 1992, joined with her husband in 1999 and began as a Parish Visitor in 2002, heading for seminary and becoming a Student Pastor in 2004 and Associate Pastor in 2007."It's Your Life" and "Life is Change," presented the Praise Team, with help from the congregation.Steve Johnson, Lay Leader of the congregation, choir member and organist/pianist at times, soloed with "How Great thou Art," for the offertory.It was time to take a picture during the Children's Message, so that the Felkers would have the children's faces as part of their own memory book, announced Pastor Felker, sitting with the youth he had so often addressed.To underscore his message of "One Faith, One Hope, One Lord," Pastor Felker asked folks to take hold of the yarn that was passed around, connecting all together, just like the Holy Spirit connects all, he explained."The Spirit wants to link people," he said, noting that the church is "a giant string picture," and the Holy Spirit is the string.Each person was asked to cut his or her portion of string to remember the connectedness, even after a new pastor would be there.He reminded all that God's wisdom is in each one and in rich variety.The music that intertwined this last service was rich in variety and talent as well. The choir, with additional voices from the Allelujah Singers, and under the direction of Dan Smale, received applause and acclaim as they presented "My Savior's Love" and "In the Garden."A quartet responded to Pastor Felker's message with their rendition of "One Faith, One Hope, One Love."Although the church and the pastors had made "beautiful music" together, now they would be apart, the congregation had been told at service's beginning. Each would have new experiences, but not together. They could still be friends, but not as pastor and parish.And as the pastors and their spouses processed out of the church, that change in relationship was marked by joy in having known and loved them and with sadness in having to let them go.All that was evident in the luncheon that followed the service and in the words of thanks that both pastors and their spouses shared with the congregation the next Sunday via their own notes to the membership."Thank you to all of you," wrote Pastor Hoffman. "I am so deeply touched by your kind words, your tears, your hugs and all the support you have shown me through this transitional time." Her thanks continued and included the church's Prayer Shawl Ministry which presented her with a yellow with cream trim prayer shawl."I have been keeping it on my rocking chair and draping it over my shoulders during my morning coffee with God. I will treasure it always.""Ruthann and I don't know how or where to begin and even how to say 'Thank You!' for the wonderful retirement party, money tree, and all other well wishes that we received on our last Sunday," wrote Pastor Felker."Even more important is the love and support you have shown both of us during our time at Effort. It was through your love and support that our ministry became possible…"We are going to miss each one of you. There are so many memories. There were fun times and there were sad times. But, all these memories are good and we will relish each one."As change comes to Effort, the congregation will be impacted by change, but they will be connected by the string that represents the Holy Spirit."We know that God has great plans for the Effort UMC. Please continue to keep the faith that you've always had as you move forward to bigger and better things," concluded Pastor Felker as he and his wife Ruthann began their retirement and their change as well as the congregation's.