It has always been difficult for me to leave a congregation. One of the privileges of being a pastor is that people invite you into their lives, and you get to knowthem in a very special way. And so, when it comes time to leave, the separation seems especially hard.

Leaving you here at Moreno Valley though, is harder than most separations for me. Whenever my pastoral friends have asked me how things are going here, I have always replied, “They are wonderful people, I’ve never served better. They are just in a difficult situation.” And I have meant it. I’ve never known a more kind and generous congregation. Right from the beginning I have felt your kindness washing over me, and I have been thankful.

So, why am I leaving? I’ve been asked this many times. I certainly don’t want to leave, and I believe that the congregation would be content to see me stay. All I can really say though is, because the Bishop asked me to go to Victorville. Yes, I could have said “no”. But I’ve always gone where any Bishop has asked me to go; I’ve never fought any assignment. And over the years I have found that God has had a hand in what the Bishop has said. This, to put it in military jargon, is what I signed up for and I’m not about to stop now. Besides, since I believe that God’s hand was in the Bishop’s decision to ask me to go to Victorville, so do I believe that God’s hand is in the decision to send Pastor Finau to Moreno Valley. I look forward to hearing how God will bless you through Pastor Finau. And I know that Pastor Finau will be equally blessed by you.
Thank you for all your love and support.

Roy