We are very upset and disappointed with the recent turn of events surrounding the dismissal of our Associate Pastor William Kroeze. After nearly two years of searching for a new pastor and before a call was sent out to select a new pastor for our congregation, St John's Executive Committee terminated Pastor Kroeze's call. Now we are in a position where we will not have a permanent pastor for up to two years.

Why would we terminate Pastor Kroeze's call before another candidate for pastor was both submitted to and voted on by the church council? This makes no sense to us. In addition to providing him with only a two week severance package, he will have no healthcare coverage and will not be eligible for Unemployment as the church does not pay into it. He will have no apartment at the beginning of the month. This does not sound very Christian to us. Instead for a short time we will now have a fill in pastor who is coming back from retirement.

Pastor Kroeze's final service was packed with nearly 200 parishioners. There was not a dry eye to be seen, it was a very emotional time for all. Most of the people we have talked with are extremely upset to see Pastor Kroeze go, especially those members with children as he was very much appreciated for the work he did in our Youth ministry.

This entire process was handled very poorly. Little or no communication was given out to the congregation. Absolutely no transparency was shown. No input was sought from the congregation, no votes were taken by us and now we have lost a pastor who was greatly admired. We do not judge the work done by the Call Committee; they did their work according to church guidelines. In an email circulated on behalf of the President of our church council, we have been told that "The Call process has come to an end". What does that mean? Are weback to square one? Thisleaves our parishioners who are sick, our shut ins and our elderly with only the support of unknown pastoral "fill ins", and for how long?

There is such disillusionment within our congregation and the mood needs to be addressed. The call process needs to be started again and accelerated, but we have received no further communication as to how and when this will happen. We are sure many will be voicing their opinion at St John’s upcoming annual meeting.