The Rev. Christopher White was the Minister of Westminster United Church
for the past 18 years.He left at the end of October 2010. Here is his farewell letter to the congregation:

Dear Westminster Family,

In 1992 I came to Westminster United Church filled with joy, anticipation and
some trepidation! How was I to know that it would be the greatest adventure
of my life? The past 18 years have been more then I could have asked for in
ministry. It has been a grand and exciting journey. We have together grown
a community of faith both spiritually and physically and created a legacy for
future generations to enjoy.

But as the writer of the book of Ecclesiastes says; “For everything there is
a season and a time for every matter under heaven” and I write with great
sadness that the time has come for me to say goodbye to Westminster.

Please know that I have had nothing but support and care from this
congregation since the moment that I arrived here and I leave because
as there is a call to come to a congregation, there is also a call to leave. I
believe that Westminster needs new leadership to take this church into the
future that God has planned and that for me it is time for a new challenge.

I have therefore accepted a call to Fairlawn United Church in Toronto, which
is effective November 1st, 2010. The actual date of my final Sunday has yet
to be determined.

Westminster is my legacy; it is the church where I raised my family and it will
always have a special place in my heart. I thank you from the bottom of my
heart for what you have given both to myself and my family, I do not have
adequate words to express my thanks. I wish this congregation all the best in
the future and leave you with a profound gratitude for the gift of ministry that
you have given me.

In Christ’s Service,
Rev. Christopher White

While we will miss Rev. White very much, we wish him all the best at his new
church.

The United Church of Canada has a process for handling a change in pastoral
relations within a congregation (ministerial vacancy). A series of congregational
meetings will be held in the coming months as we start this journey as a
community of faith together.