Greetings Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

      As many of you know, I will be ending my time at Sandpoint UMC at the end of June, and moving to Leavenworth, WA to be the pastor of the United Methodist Church there. Moving here to be my successor as Pastor will be Catherine Lyle, who will also be the Pastor at the Bonners Ferry UMC.

      When I moved here three years ago I was delighted to be moving to such a beautiful area. I have always loved mountains and evergreen forests, and I brought my kayak to enjoy on the lake. In my first several months here I was enjoying getting to know you and Sandpoint, and the Panhandle of Idaho. And then Covid hit.

      Covid was difficult for our church, for our community, for our nation, and the world. Covid caused significant disruption to every organization, business and community, and even in north Idaho, too many people have suffered from this virus, and hundreds have died from it.

      I will miss this beautiful area, and will miss you when I leave. Even though the majority of the time I have been here has been colored by this pandemic, I still have many memories that I will cherish in the years ahead.

      As I leave, I will pray for the ministry of Pastor Catherine Lyle with you at Sandpoint UMC, that together you may follow God’s leading to a rich and full ministry in Sandpoint. 

     I share with you this Blessing of Zechariah (Luke 1:78-79).

      By the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.

Shalom, Pastor Jo Dene