Dear Church –

Lori and I came here 8 plus years ago after our world in Michigan had unraveled during the 2008 financial crisis. I was out of work for 2 years, and the only job opportunity to come my way was here in New England. So, we packed me up and drove me out here to start the new job while Lori stayed behind to deal with all the loose ends of our lives in Michigan.

Knowing nothing of the area other than Paul Revere, baked beans, lobster and the challenge of finding a good church in New England, I settled into a new job and a tiny apartment in Lowell. My first priority was to find a good church. After many fruitless website searches, I came on Grace Chapel. I noticed on their website that they had sponsored a startup church in Andover, so I decided to give it a go.

From the beginning, GracePoint opened their arms and hearts to me, and 9 months later to Lori, and we have made this church our home ever since. And I mean home in the truest sense of the word, because you all are true family: people we know deeply, care about, love and have shared life with.

But now is another time of life. I retired at the end of 2017 and we faced another kind of crisis in that we had to decide what to do next. We looked into many things, tried many things and waited for the leading of the Holy Spirit. As a result, we are returning to Michigan, our children, family and old friends, and leaving this family behind.

It is difficult. In many ways you all have been more of a family to us than our family and friends in Michigan. But it is right that we return. We feel God’s leading, in a still small voice kind of way, and we must follow.

We will miss you all. We will think of you often, and pray for you. We hope to be back for visits often too.

May I, as one of your Elders, to give you a blessing:

The Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;
the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.

Gil & Lori Quick