Resignation Letter from Pastor Robyn
December 14, 2020
I thank my God every time I remember you, constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you, because of your sharing in the gospel from the first day until now. – Philippians 1:3-5
Beloved People of St. Andrew,
This verse from Philippians has come to me again and again in recent weeks as I’ve thought about the many ways St. Andrew’s faithfulness has deepened my own faith. Serving among you in ministry at the font, table, pulpit, and so many other places has been among the greatest privileges of my life.
I write to let you know that after 12 beautiful years of ministry with you, my service as your pastor will soon draw to a close. Although I was not seeking a new call, I was nominated for consideration in the call process for Spirit of Grace Lutheran/Roman Catholic church in Beaverton. Spirit of Grace is the congregation that Rev. Laurie Larson Caesar served before her election as bishop of the Oregon Synod, ELCA.
After much thought and prayer, I gave the synod permission to submit my name as one of four possible candidates. Yesterday, that call process culminated with Spirit of Grace voting to call me as their next three-quarter time pastor. Today I notified the Spirit of Grace co-presidents that I have accepted that call. I will become their pastor after concluding my service as your pastor. My final Sunday with St. Andrew will be February 7th and my last day February 10th.
After February 10th, I will follow ELCA policy and separation ethics. Because I will no longer be your pastor, this means that I will no longer preside at funerals, baptisms, weddings, home communion services, services of blessing, pastoral care conversations, or hospital visits for St. Andrew. In our remaining weeks together, I will be sharing more via St. Andrew’s Weekly News email on Fridays. Watch for information from Pastor Brocker and the Church Council, as well.
There is so much more to say about my gratitude for our 12 years together. This letter cannot contain all my feelings, memories, and hopes for you. For any ways in which my ministry with you has been good news, I give thanks. For any ways I have inadvertently caused hurt or harm, I ask your forgiveness. Feel free to contact me sooner rather than later with any questions you have, conversations you desire, or pastoral care you need before I go. You may reach me at 503-646-0629 x 211 or email. Watch the Weekly News for opportunities to gather in groups with me & others from St. Andrew via Zoom or telephone, too.
I honestly do not know where to begin to thank you for the privilege of serving as your pastor, partnering with your faithful lay leaders, collaborating with your dedicated staff, and serving alongside Pastor Brocker from whom I have learned so much. I am not only a better pastor as a result of your embrace of me and my ministry, I am a better person, as well. Thank you for the good news St. Andrew is for the world. Thank you for the good news you have been for me.
With gratitude and love,
Rev. Robyn M. Hartwig
Pastor Robyn was born in Eastern Iowa and grew up primarily in the Chicago suburb of Naperville, IL. After graduating from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, she taught high school economics and government in Bakersfield, CA. She moved to Berkeley, CA in 1993 to attend Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary. During her four-year program, she completed a year-long internship at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Portland.
Following seminary, she served as director of Learn ASAP (After School Academic Program) in Richmond, CA, which offered support to Southeast Asian Refugee children and their families. Pastor Robyn was ordained at Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer in Sacramento, CA on January 3, 1999, where she served as the congregation’s solo pastor until July of 2007. After moving back to Portland, she was invited to serve in an interim administrative position in the Bishop’s office of the Oregon Synod. She was called to St. Andrew Lutheran Church and began serving as three-quarter time associate pastor in December, 2008. Her other part-time work is with a leadership development effort called EcoFaith Recovery where she serves as Pastor/Organizer.
Pastor Robyn is married to Pastor Janet Parker who serves as senior pastor of First Congregational United Church of Christ in Salem, Oregon. In her free time, Pastor Robyn enjoys hiking, drumming, dancing and spending time with her young niece and nephew. In 2016, she is excited to explore deeper connections with the Taiwan Lutheran Church that also worships at St. Andrew as she and Janet travel to Taiwan with the pastor and one other member of the Portland Taiwan Lutheran Church.