Who We Became Together

Delivering his last sermon on July 9th, Pastor Reverend Mark Williams said, “From my perspective as departing minister, the only thing more gratifying than what United Church has accomplished over the last nine years is who we became together.” 

“So often the question asked is ‘what do you perceive your legacy will be at United Church?’” said Pastor Mark. “But the better question would have been, who do you want your legacy to be at United Church?”

“It has to do with the who – what this congregation has become together,” he said. “You are the results of my ministry and it can only be written in the who – by the spirits of your hearts. Your heart is good, beautiful and true.”

Pastor Mark also wrote his final e-news and echoed his confidence in the church’s exciting future. He prayed for Interim Minister Reverend Jim McKenzie who will be leading worship at United Church of Marco Island (UCMI) beginning July 23rd and expressed great faith that God will continue to move in and through UCMI and the Bargain Basket in powerful ways in the weeks, months, and years to come.

On Friday, July 7th, members of the congregation held a farewell celebration for Pastor Mark, his wife Emily, and their children Nolan, Marie and Anna at Hideaway Beach Clubhouse, expressing appreciation for his ministry for the last 10 years and wishing him a good future with his new congregation at the UCC in Naples.

It was not supposed to be a tearful farewell, and holding back her own emotions, Samantha Arago, UCMI and Bargain Basket Director of Operations said, “This is a day we all dreaded, even hoped it will never come, but here we are.” On behalf of the congregation, she presented Pastor Mark with a gift, “one that symbolizes your legacy, built from the furniture at Disseler Hall by Tom Whitlock, comes from the minds of many but brought to life by the artistic talent of Hannah Anderson. We present you with a cross to add to your collection.”

Paula Carlson said, “On behalf of the Trustees, I thank you for your spiritual kindness, your leadership, your ability to be a pastor and administrator, a Thrift Store CEO, a fundraising officer and so much more. You made it look easy. You led us through a pandemic and an amazing time of growth, all while bringing heaven to earth for each of us. We also thank you for your ability to balance the spiritual with the business at our trustee meetings - you also made that look easy. May you, Emily, Nolan, Marie and Anna continue to experience and enjoy the grace of God in your life and your ministry.”

Pastor Mark thanked the entire congregation. “What happened over the last 10 years has been in some effort on my part, but I am far from self-made. It is what you all have done in the last 10 years that has helped make a decade of ministry possible and so fruitful. Thank you for the support that you have given to me and to my family.”

“Mark had a vision that included kindness and inclusiveness and was determined to prove that the intangibles could grow the ministry of the Church and the Bargain Basket,” said Arago. “He knew that those things come from the relationships we build with people.” It is all about leaving a legacy of the “Who We Became Together.”