#2 Moving Forward Together

As many of you know, we are in a season of transition in the life of our church. The Session continues to meet every Tuesday at 6:30 PM, working carefully and faithfully as we prepare for what comes next.

We continue to hold Pastor Mario and his family in our prayers. While his new ministry officially begins on May 1st, he will remain in the area for a little while longer. Transitions like this take time, and your prayers for him and his family are deeply appreciated.

There are a few important updates to share:

The Session is actively working toward securing an Interim Pastor to guide the congregation during this season. Conversations and steps are underway, and we are encouraged by the direction things are moving. At this time, we are not in a position to share specific names, but we ask for your prayers as Session continues to discern the Spirit’s leading in this important decision.

As you may already know, Rev. Dr. Michael Foley has been appointed by the Presbytery to serve as Moderator of the Session beginning in May. In this role, he will provide leadership, guidance, and continuity as the church navigates this transition.

In the meantime, Session has taken steps to ensure continuity in worship and care. We remain committed to providing worship at Lake View Terrace on the third Thursday of each month, as well as continuing the meaningful and Christ-centered worship that our church regularly offers. We are grateful for the depth of experience and faith within both our staff and Session, and we believe we are well equipped for this season.

Looking ahead, the Session—through the Nominating Committee of the church—will soon be seeking volunteers to serve in two important areas of this transition.

First, we will be forming a Mission Study Task Force. A mission study is an essential step in the life of a congregation during a pastoral transition within the PC(USA). It is a time of prayerful reflection, listening, and honest assessment—considering who we are, where God has been at work among us, and where we sense God calling us next. This process helps provide clarity and direction for the congregation and for those who may be discerning a call to serve here in the future.

Second, we will be seeking individuals to serve on the Pastor Nominating Committee (PNC). This committee will work alongside the Interim Pastor and the Session to prayerfully discern and recommend the next installed pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Eustis.

Both of these opportunities are meaningful ways to participate in shaping the future of our church. We encourage you to begin praying now about how you might be called to serve.

Looking ahead to May, we will enter a meaningful time in the life of the congregation. On the first Sunday, we will welcome Rev. Dr. Holly J. Dillon, Bridge Executive Presbyter of the Presbytery of Central Florida. Following that, members of our own congregation will step forward to preach and share testimonies. This promises to be a time of reflection, gratitude, and giving glory to God through the voices of our community.

As always, if you have questions or would like to communicate with Session, we encourage you to reach out to our Clerk of Session, Alesandra Saunders, at alesandrasaunders@gmail.com, who can help ensure your questions are received and addressed appropriately.

A few important dates to keep in mind:

• Pastor Mario’s final day as Pastor and Moderator will be April 30

• Session will meet on April 28 with Pastor Mario as Moderator

• A special called Session meeting is planned for May 4, with Rev. Dr. Michael Foley serving as Moderator

• The next regular stated Session meeting will be May 26

This is a time of change, but also a time of trust. As we move forward together, may we remain grounded in prayer, attentive to the Spirit, and committed to the mission God has given us.

Grace and peace,

Your Session