When the Rev. Ruth Strang gives her last sermon next Sunday, she’ll do so knowing she finally answered God’s calling.
Strang, who started as a pastor with St. John’s Episcopal Church in Howell in 1994, will step down officially Oct. 1 after 15 years of what she called a “fantastic spiritual journey.”
More than any single memory or feeling at the church, Strang said she’d remember the journey ”” of her and her congregation ”” the most.
“I think it’s been a journey in which there were so many moments we’ve developed as a caring family,” Strang said. “God called me to do this, and I took a long time to answer. Now, it’s time for me to do something else.”
Rev. Ruth truly deserves a happy retirement. No doubt she served St. John’s through tough times. From 2002 through 2007, ASA fell slightly but Members fell by 30 percent and Plate & Pledge by 45 percent in real (inflation adjusted) dollars. She will be sorely missed and very difficult to replace. Statmann