Dear Blacknall Family,
In October of 2019, Allan approached the Session with a request: Given the planned, impending departures of several key staff, he wanted to commission a team to consider the various Blacknall programs and staff positions in order to develop a roadmap for hiring and staff structure that would support the church and its mission for the coming years. That group, led by Michael Whisenhunt, was called the Personnel Planning Team, or PPT. At the same time, Allan signaled that he was beginning to think more specifically about the timing of his own retirement from Blacknall. We knew he wanted to see Blacknall through the staff transitions in music ministry and congregational care before addressing his own retirement. During that season of planning, we had a series of conversations about Allan’s desires and about our priorities for the leadership of our congregation.
Since those initial discussions, the Session and the Personnel Committee have remained close to Allan as he considered the specific timing for his departure. When he approached us recently with the specific date upon which he intended to retire, we received his news just as you might have received his letter earlier this week, with a certain sadness. Not a sadness of despair, but rather with an appreciation for a loss that is not unfamiliar to those who love, care, and serve alongside us as we live our lives. It’s bittersweet to anticipate Allan’s retirement knowing that we will miss his leadership while also knowing he and we will continue to grow and discover what comes next. It is natural and good that many of us will grieve. And as we grieve, we remember and are thankful. Allan and Betsy have shaped our communal life together and have shaped many of us in deeply personal ways. In the coming months, let us be intentional about telling one another stories about their work among us and about their friendship. We’re a community that is held together by our stories. And it’s in those stories that we might find the seeds of what’s to come – both for Allan and Betsy as they take this exciting step together and for us as we look forward, anticipating the Lord’s provision.
In spite of the challenges we face as a society and as a body, Allan’s leadership and faithfulness to his calling have been a big part of what has made Blacknall strong. His retirement from Blacknall will be deeply felt by us who appreciate the insightful and faithful way in which he opens up Scripture, trust his integrity and faith, value his humble nature, and love his friendship and humor. We will miss his leadership greatly even while Blacknall is blessed to have both David and Goodie and a steadfast Session guiding us forward.
We’ve already begun some of the process to prepare for this transition. In the short term, members of the Session and Personnel Committee are already working with Allan, David, and Goodie to coordinate the oversight of all of the elements that make up our life together. In the longer term, facets of the formal transition are dictated by the Presbytery and our constitution. After Allan’s departure, there will be a required “Interim Period”, during which time the congregation will be able to reflect on its calling and eventually elect a Pastor Nominating Committee to work with the Presbytery of New Hope to identify and present candidates for the role of Senior Pastor.
There is work to do and we will actively engage with you throughout the process. If you have questions at any point, please feel free to reach out to a current member of the Session. During this upcoming period of transition, we will be as open and clear as possible about what is unfolding. We are confident that God has good plans and a future for Blacknall and to prosper its ministry. And, we’re looking forward to when we can all gather together again as a body under one roof. While we navigate through this uncertain time, Jeremiah 29:11 reminds us of God’s presence as we take each step together, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
From the Blacknall Session,
Ashley Weinard
Clerk of Session
Jeff Baker
Evan Cate
Peter Gerend
Warren Gould
Nancy Grigg
Alexander Hartemink
Steve Hinkle
Don Hoover
Susan Kinghorn
Kathy Mitchell
Donna Mutter
John Nicholson
Paula Rinehart
Charlie Schaefer