Pastor Tim Mitchell

 

A Farewell Letter to the People of Dixon First UMC
Rev. Dr. Timothy Mitchell
November 23, 2025

Greetings Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Transitions. Life is full of them, and each one—big or small—asks something of our faith. After 28 years of active ministry and ten deeply meaningful years here at Dixon First United Methodist Church, I find myself standing in the middle of one more transition, struggling for words that seem far too small for the love I carry in my heart. The well feels dry, the emotions run deep, and yet God remains faithful. God always provides what we need—sometimes even through tools and means we never expected.

As I prepare to retire from active ministry and as you prepare to welcome a new pastor, I am reminded again of the truth Paul wrote to the Romans:
“We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28

These words have guided me through previous transitions—some painful, some joyful—and they guide me now. When I left the world of printing many years ago, that transition was hard, and many relationships were wounded. But God used even that brokenness to lead me into ministry, into grace, into a calling that has blessed me far beyond anything I could have imagined. And eventually, God brought me to you.

For the last decade, Dixon First UMC has been home—truly home—to Jody, Grace, and me. Together we have weathered challenges, embraced opportunities, and witnessed the love of God made real and vibrant in countless ways. You have opened your hearts to us, walked with us through seasons of change and growth, and joined us in the holy work of witnessing the Love of God found in Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit to our community and beyond. You have been our family.

One of the hardest tasks a pastor ever faces is saying goodbye. But the good news is that as Christians, we never truly have to say those words. We get to say, “Until we meet again.” For those who call Jesus Christ Lord and Savior, separation is only temporary. Heaven is our home, our final gathering place, where saints and friends and loved ones meet again in glory. What a joy, what a relief, what a promise!

Even so, life continues here and now. Ministry continues. The mission continues. And you—beloved Dixon First—are called to continue being the church in this community. To truly live in and live out your Beyond the Horizon Vision. Keep reaching out to the lost, the lonely, the hurting. Keep being a beacon of Christ’s light in Dixon, in Lee County, in our nation, and in our world. Keep loving boldly, serving faithfully, praying earnestly, and living as witnesses to the Good News.

As I step away from active ministry and move with Jody to our retirement home in Murray, Kentucky—on the quiet shores of Kentucky Lake—we carry with us every memory, every blessing, and every moment of grace we have shared. You have walked with us through this transition, and your love has sustained us. But with retirement also comes a new boundary: I must give your next pastor the space to build relationships, to lead, and to become your shepherd. For that reason, I will not be available for weddings, funerals, or pastoral duties. This is not distance born of lack of love, but an act of deep respect for your future and your new pastoral leadership.

My prayer for you is simple and yet profound:
That you will transition well.
That you will trust the Holy Spirit who has never failed this church.
That you will open your hearts to your next pastor just as you once opened them to my family and me.
That you will continue the work of revival—of spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ with joy, courage, and conviction.

God has great things planned for Dixon First UMC. I believe that with all my heart. Your future will unfold with grace and power if you walk in faith and allow God’s will to be done in and through you.

Thank you for your love, your support, your patience, your generosity, and your willingness to walk beside me these ten years. Thank you for being the church. Thank you for allowing me to serve as your pastor.

Until we meet again, may the love of Jesus Christ dwell richly in your hearts, may the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus, and may you continually lean into the power of the Holy Spirit to guide you.

With deep gratitude, abiding affection, and unshaken hope,

Pastor Tim
Rev. Dr. Timothy Mitchell
Dixon First United Methodist Church
“Until we meet again.”