Special WCC Messenger

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Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

On behalf of our church leadership and me, I write with momentous and bittersweet news. After 41 beautiful and Spirit-led years, the Rev. Dr. William A. Mueller—our beloved Bill—is retiring from ordained ministry and, thus, from both Winnetka Congregational Church and Loyola University, where he has served with distinction on the adjunct faculty.

Approximately one year ago, retirement was already very much on Bill’s heart and mind. Knowing that—but also knowing how much I wanted him to remain!—I sat down with Bill to relay how much his ministry means to our church, to our staff, and to me as WCC’s newly-installed senior pastor, and to ask if he would stay at least another year (and, hopefully, more). After praying on it and discussing it with his wife, Judi Mueller, Bill agreed to remain into the spring of 2017.

Our church, our staff, and I have been so very fortunate for Bill’s decision to serve out his 41^st and, now, final year as an ordained pastor. Throughout his tenure, Bill has brought to bear his love of God, of God’s Church, and of all of God’s people—both within our congregation and far afield. His presence and palpable pastoral heart have brought stability to our church in times of transition; care to congregants along life’s journey and in times of need; an incisive and scholarly facilitation of adult enrichment; heartfelt emotion; and compelling compassion and conviction to our worship.

Sad as we will all be to bid Bill farewell, we can all join in celebrating how at-peace and excited both Bill and Judi are with their discernment that time has come to begin life’s next chapter.

Bill will be preaching this Sunday, March 5, so please join us. There will be a special all-church reception on the evening of Saturday, April 29 in Tolman Hall in honor of Bill, followed the next morning by Bill’s last worship service with us on Sunday, April 30 (bring your tissues!). Please mark your calendars!

Conversations about a succession plan are already underway, and the Executive Committee, our Human Resources team, and I will keep you posted as the process continues.

In the meantime, please read Bill’s heartfelt retirement letter (below). And, please join Jeanne Ebersole (WCC Chair), our Executive Committee, our broader lay leadership (both Council and beyond), our whole Congregation and staff, and me as we thank Bill for the gift of his service here and as we prepare to wish Bill and Judi all blessings and joy in their upcoming adventure!

God’s Peace,

Jeff

Jeffrey D. Braun
Senior Pastor

March 1, 2017

Sisters and Brothers:

Expanding upon what Hebrew scripture says, “To everything there is a season,” a beloved seminary theology professor of mine often said, “God calls us in and out of seasons.”

That has been my experience professionally and personally in gentle calls and leaps of faith that Judi and I have taken and continue to share; as well as in quiet calls of discernment. The past several years have been such a season of discernment in our pilgrimage in conversation with God who “calls us in and out of seasons.”

Last June being the 40^th anniversary of my ordination, Judi and I were looking forward to retirement. We are grateful for Winnetka Congregational Church’s celebration of that blessed benchmark. We are grateful as well for your invitation to remain in the livelihood of parish and pastoral ministry here this program year 2016-2017. It offered the privilege to serve while discernment continued. But to use some words Jesus said, “The hour is coming, and now is…”

Judi and I own property in Biltmore Lake, North Carolina where we are now building a new home in the serenity and beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The process is going well, to the point of needing to put our home in native Evanston on the market. The course of selling, building, traveling and moving will require my full time attention.

Hence, I am announcing my retirement from 41 years of ordained ministry to my United Methodist bishop, Loyola University Chicago: Graduate School of Social Work, and Winnetka Congregational Church as of May 1, 2017. This means that our last Sunday of ministry among you will be April 30.

My primary responsibilities for Adult Enrichment and Care & Calling have been scheduled through the program year to May 21 which I know you will continue to faithfully support by your prayers, presence, gifts, service, and witness.

It has been my pleasure to be in ministry with you into my 10^th year, a quarter of my time in ministry. Together, we have made our way toward the 2020 Vision. But the best of all, no matter where we are, we continue “to walk together in all God’s ways.”

Blessings,
+ William A. Mueller

The Rev. Jeffrey D. Braun
Senior Pastor
847.441.3400, ext. 16

The Rev. Sarah Walker Cleaveland
Associate Pastor
847.441.3400, ext. 15

The Rev. Dr. William A. Mueller
Associate Pastor
847.441.3400, ext. 23

Dr. Robert A. Harris
Director of Music/Choirmaster
847.441.3400, ext. 19

Elaine Clemens
Director of Children’s Music Organist
847.441.3400, ext. 19

Cecelia J. Blue
Director of Christian Education
847.441.3400, ext. 17

Paul Allen, Pastor Emeritus

Dawn Huntsman
Administrative Assistant
847.441.3400, ext. 10

Waldek A. Ziolkowski
Publisher
847.441.3400, ext. 27

Lloyd H Culbertson
Office & Facilities Manager
847.441.3400, ext. 12

Ray Koch
Chief Sexton
847.441.3400, ext. 21

Mark Dudek
Sexton
847.441.3400, ext. 21

Doug Coulter
Accountant
847.441.3400, ext. 13

Joseph A. Shank, Pastor Emeritus

Phone: 847.441.3400

Pastoral Care
A reminder: When you or a loved one is admitted to a hospital or other health care facility, please let your pastors know by phone or email. Due to HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act), such organizations are prohibited from providing confidential information to anyone, including clergy. Contact any of us at 441-3400 or via our emails (images are linked)

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