A Farewell to Reverend Marion Sanders

Rev. Marion Sanders served the congregation of the Montgomery United Methodist Church as Associate for Youth Discipleship for several years. She led the Sunday School, organized the Christmas Pageants, preached, prayed, and taught the Faith during this time. Her deep love for Jesus has blessed us all. In 2011, she was appointed to be the Senior Pastor of the Finesville and West Portal United Methodist Churches.

Reverend Sanders, we celebrate your ministry today. It is a bittersweet day for us. It is bittersweet because we bid you farewell for now, but sweet because it is to God’s new appointment that you go. It has been a joy to have you here. It has been a joy to grow in Christ with you. It has been a joy to watch your example of Christian discipleship. We are blessed because of it.

As I think of you there are three thoughts that come to mind. These are Spirituality, Teaching and Kindness.

Spirituality-Reverend Marion you have a deep sense of spirit. Your prayer life is very rich and goes right to the core of who you are. One can tell that whenever you pray publicly or with each of us individually in our time of need. You have certainly blessed me in this way and I am deeply, deeply grateful.

We bless your skill as a teacher. You have taught our children and taught them well. Most of all you have taught them by example about the sweetness of Christ. You have taught them by example of the importance of prayer. You have taught them by example of the importance of having fun! And having patience. We admire you and bless you for your skill as a teacher.

The one word that comes to mind when I think of Reverend Marion is simply the word, “kind.” There is a wonderful Scripture that is just three words long from the book of James that says, Be Ye Kind. Reverend Marion you have always handled situations with a cool hand, you have always kept things steady. You have always been gracious and kind and patient with all of us; me included. You always have a way of putting the other person first. We have admired this about you.

There is a wonderful saying that drifts through my mind ever more often with the passing years, and it is this: Long after people forget exactly what it was that we did, or the exact words that we said, they will remember how they felt when they were around you. Rev. Marion, we will remember that we felt treated prayerfully, thoughtfully, and kindly.

We will also miss your son Kieran’s playful and joyful presence, and your husband Ed’s soulful and warm personality, as well as his contributions as a Trustee, and valued tenor in the Church choir.

We are grateful for you ministry among us and we bless you as God sends you to your new Pastoral appointment. May God bless you and your wonderful family every day. Amen.