RETIREMENT

Along the Way with Pastor Paul and Laura Harris
 
Family, friends, sisters and brothers in Christ, we write to share news of Pastor Paul’s retirement from full-time ministry in the United Methodist Church. On January 1, 2025, we shall begin a new phase of life and ministry as we set out for new adventures along the way. As Paul’s status changes to Retired Elder in the Rio Texas Conference UMC, we give thanks for all the many relationships we’ve shared in this (25) years of itinerant ministry.
 
We have been truly blessed to share in ministry with some amazing people and churches. We have worked with wonderful teams of lay and clergy sharing life along the way. We have sung praises with saints among us. We have shared at table with folks and families desiring to be closer to Christ. We have been available as pastor and partner. Paul’s role has been to lead, baptize, equip, preach and preside. Laura has been along-side every step of the way. From our sending church in Corpus Christi, we have lived in ministry with folks in San Antonio, Austin, Laredo, Hunt (Kerr County), and now back in Austin. Here at Manchaca UMC, we have been blessed to share in a season of celebration with the 150 years in ministry. We depart knowing that you are blessed with a strong laity and an experienced church staff.
 
We are finishing out our Lofted Barn Cabin placed on the DuBose Family Farm in San Patricio County. It will serve as our primary residence and launch station for retirement. The Coastal Bend of Texas has a special place in our hearts and with joy we return to begin again. We plan to share time on the farm with family helping as we can, wherever we can, as long as we can. We also plan to travel to Virginia starting with a spring-summer trip in 2025. Our son Ben and daughter-in-love Rebecca make their home in Afton, VA. We will enjoy being close to them while using the RV to visit the scenic and historic sights of the land east of the Mississippi. We hope to log some of our travel adventures within our website Along the Way with Laura and Paul which you may find at www.pauleharris2017.com. Paul has been making a list of things to do in retirement. Laura’s only item is to not participate in list-making. Spending time with family and friends is the priority. Laura and her sister will have plenty of time to find trouble and enjoy laughing about it. Friends on Galveston Island stand ready to welcome us into retirement.
 
We give thanks to all with whom we have shared life Along the Way.
Much love and many blessings!   
Pastor Paul and Laura Harris