Letter from Pastor Cara to All Saints LA
July 9, 2023

Dear beloved members of All Saints LA,

Grace and peace to you on this day.

It is with a mix of emotions that I write this letter to our community. Life is filled with seasons, and over these past six months as our family dynamics have evolved, we have discerned a need to relocate out of state due to personal family obligations. It is a decision made with heavy hearts, yet grounded in our conviction to prioritize the needs of our family and our children.

Therefore, I write this letter to inform you of my decision to tender my resignation as the founding pastor of All Saints LA, effective September 1, 2023. While this decision has not been an easy one, I firmly believe that it is the right one for both my family and myself as we must embark on a new chapter of our lives, where the Lord is leading us.

I want to start by expressing my deep gratitude and love for each one of you. The journey we have shared in dreaming up, beginning, and growing this church community has been an incredible privilege and a source of immense joy. Together, we have seen God's hand at work creating safe spaces of inclusion, celebrating diversity and creating spaces of healing and reconciliation for so many.

Although I will no longer be physically present with you, I want you to know that my love and support for this church community remain steadfast. My departure opens up a new opportunity for fresh leadership and perspectives to guide the church forward. It is my sincere belief that God has great plans for All Saints LA. I will remain involved and will continue to serve as All Saints LA board president for the time being.

In this next season, I encourage you to continue to support and uplift one another, remaining united in your faith and purpose. I have witnessed the tremendous faith, passion, and love that flows within this community, and I have no doubt that you will continue to grow, create spaces of healing and inclusion, and celebrate the diversity of God’s creation and faithfulness together.

As I step away, I commit to pray diligently for God's guidance and provision for All Saints as we bring on an interim pastor to serve our community this fall.

The decision to bring in an interim pastor allows us the opportunity to carefully discern and consider the next direction God is calling us to take. During the interim period, both the community and the interim pastor will have the chance to evaluate the compatibility and shared vision for the future. There are two possible outcomes that could arise:

Continuation and Transition: If the community and the interim pastor find alignment and a shared sense of calling, it is possible for the interim pastor to move into a more permanent position as the pastor of All Saints LA. This would allow for a seamless transition and the opportunity to build upon the foundations already established.

Search and Calling: Alternatively, the church community may discern the need to search for and call a pastor from outside our congregation. In this case, the interim pastor would assist in facilitating the search process, providing guidance and support as the church seeks a new pastor to lead and shepherd.

The interim period is an opportunity for us to reflect on our strengths, address any challenges, and discern the future direction that God has in store for All Saints.

In the coming weeks, we will share more information about the interim pastor who will be joining us. There will be opportunities for you to meet, interact, and discern God's leading together as a community.

Please save the date for our first congregational meeting where we will have time for discussion and Q & A next Sunday, July 16th at 6:00 PM after the service.

Let us remember that the church is not just a building or its leaders but a vibrant community of believers who are called to love one another and serve the world around us. I am confident that as we navigate this transitional period with faith, unity, and love, God will continue to work in and through us, bringing about God’s purposes in ways that exceed our expectations.

We will continue to be a church that centers the voices of the marginalized, prioritizes justice and love, and makes space for healing and restoration with the Holy Spirit.

Lastly, I want to express my deepest gratitude to each one of you in this church community. Your support, dedication, and unwavering commitment to the joyful inclusion and restorative work of Jesus has been a source of inspiration and encouragement to me.

May the Lord bless you and All Saints abundantly in this season. God is faithful to guide and strengthen us as we continue to seek unity and make decisions in love as we move forward.

I have no doubt that great things are in store for God’s work in Santa Monica and beyond because of the amazing community that is All Saints LA.

With all my love,

Cara