Presence of God’s love and service

Dear Friends, 

As I reflect on my spiritual journey, the blowing wind of the Holy Spirit has always been active in my calling. I see its movement from my junior year abroad in Zimbabwe, where I first encountered the personal love of Jesus, to the Renewal in Christ retreat in Long Island where I met my husband. The Spirit guided my unfolding path to ordained ministry, and nearly three years ago swept me from Connecticut to Florida to start a healing center—leading right into this past year of joyful ministry at Bethesda-by-the-Sea.

So much of a life of faith is about moving with the Holy Spirit, never quite knowing where God’s love and mission to serve will take us next. Sometimes following God feels like a gentle breeze, sometimes a sudden gust. My absolute favorite is the feeling of being swept up in the swirling, joyful winds of the Lord of the Dance.

As many of you now know, I have discerned that God is calling me into full-time ministry as the Executive Director of The Healing Center of Martin County. This center for prayer and ministry sits on the campus of St. Mary’s Church in Stuart, where my husband serves as Rector. A year ago, my work at the Healing Center was strictly part-time, which beautifully allowed me to fulfill my calling as Priest Associate at Bethesda. Since then, however, the Healing Center has grown exponentially in ways I could never have anticipated.

This transition comes with both deep gratitude and genuine sorrow. Leaving a beloved parish family is never easy. Yet, I step forward with a profound sense that God is calling me more fully into a ministry of prayer and healing for those longing for wholeness in spirit, mind, and body through the transforming love of Jesus.

This new season is not a departure from my ordained priesthood, but rather an extension of the same movement of the Holy Spirit that brought me to serve at Bethesda. I will carry the presence of God’s love and service that we have shared wherever I go.

Please know how profoundly grateful I am for your trust, your kindness, your prayers, and your love. You have blessed me more than I can express. I leave with deep affection for this parish and absolute confidence that the winds of the Holy Spirit will continue to fill you, moving you to proclaim the Gospel with love and faithful service.

Though my role is changing, the bonds formed in faith remain. I hope you will continue to pray for me, just as I will continue to pray for you.

With gratitude and affection in Christ,

Rev. Tara