The SPR Committee would like to bring you up to date on what is happening in our ongoing communications with the Bishop stating current events and where we stand.
Our VUMC SPR met with our congregation on 3/2/25 to discuss our current situation regarding the District’s request that Pastor Kevan retire or accept another assignment in July. Then, church leaders (SPR, Finance, Trustees) met to decide on our best course of action, and we agreed to write a letter to Bishop Bickerton requesting that he come to VUMC to answer some crucial questions. We also asked for more clarity on their plans for us, and a transitional period during which Pastor Kevan can be present even after another pastor is appointed.
After this meeting, we learned about the Bishop’s plans for a cooperative parish and had a Co-operative Parish meeting on March 4th at which Rev. Law introduced the three Pastors who would be leading the Co-operative Parish. Mary Kovoor then had the pleasure of speaking with Pastor Bill Pfohl, who is to be the lead pastor, to discuss some of the concerns that we have here in Valhalla, and also to think about how we can ensure a reasonably smooth transition going forward.
Although SPR now has more information about what a cooperative parish is, and is reassured that our incoming pastor(s) have our best interests in mind, the joint committees have decided that as a congregation we should proceed with sending the letter to the Bishop, as we would still like him to address us directly and answer some of our questions.
I understand that Pastor Bill Pfohl will likely meet with us in the near future and we look forward to this, but we still would like our concerns known to the Bishop.
Below you will find the letter to Bishop Bickerton. We have cc’ed our District Superintendent Rev. Law as well as the other congregations who make up the Greater White Plains Cooperative Parish. If you have any questions please feel free to contact Mary Kovoor, Chairperson of SPR, Tom Kovoor, Chairperson of Finance or Sal Vaccaro, Chairperson of the Trustees.
LETTER TO BISHOP BICKERTON