It is with sadness that we announce we have received a letter from Rev. Rushan Sinnaduray, informing us of his decision to resign as Lead Pastor effective Thursday, August 31^st 2023. His final Sunday with The Oasis will be August 27^th 2023.

A copy of the announcement made during the July 2nd worship service is included below.

We know that you have many questions, and we would like to provide you answers to two big questions at the front of everyone’s minds.

Why is Rushan resigning?

Rushan has accepted a call to be the Senior Minister of Central Union Church in Honolulu, Hawaii.

What happens next?

The Oasis United Church of Christ is not going anywhere. We want to assure you that we have already been in touch with staff of our Missouri Mid-South UCC conference. The Leadership Council will be scheduling a special meeting to hear from them directly about UCC procedures during a time of pastoral transition. We would like to share with you this brief overview:

1. The leadership council will select an interim pastor to provide continuity in worship, pastoral care, and program/staff oversight. Rev. Damien Lake or Rev. Mary Nelson will advise the council on this process, and we have been assured that there are several excellent candidates available who offer the specialized skills needed during this transitional period. This pastor will not be a candidate for the “settled” position.

2. Once the interim pastor is in place, The Oasis United Church of Christ will launch a nationwide search for a new pastor in accordance with our bylaws, and develop a church profile for potential candidates.

3. Our search committee will read ministerial profiles, screen candidates, conduct interviews, check references, and eventually select a candidate who will be recommended to the entire congregation.
   

The next two or so months with Rev. Rushan will be a precious time. Updates will be provided on a regular basis, and we will inform you soon about our plans for ways to celebrate Rushan’s ministry. 
For now, let us express our gratitude to God for Rushan, and enter into a time of thanksgiving and celebration with him and his family. If you would like to make a monetary donation for a gift from the church to Rushan and his family, you can either donate online at https://theoasisucc.org/give with memo “Rushan farewell gift”, or donate in person (cash or check with the memo “Rushan farewell gift”. See below for examples:

###