06/02/2026
For everything there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven…
Ecclesiastes 3:1
Dear Beloved St. Matthias Family,
It is with sadness, but also with gratefulness for the last twelve and a half years of our journey together, that I announce my resignation as your pastor, effective June 30. Therefore, my final Sunday with you will be June 28. At the invitation of Bishop Ginny Aebischer, and after much prayer and conversation with my family, my name was presented to St. John’s Lutheran Church in Beaufort to serve them as interim pastor, following the recent retirement of their pastor. I will be starting there part-time in July, while continuing my duties as chaplain at RoseCrest Retirement Community.
I have been glad to serve alongside of you for over a decade, making wonderful relationships along the way. Despite various difficulties, including a pandemic, we persevered together to maintain this congregation and its mission to serve Christ and the Easley community. It has been a great privilege to work with many of you on Council, Preschool Board, and various other committees and projects. It has also been a joy to work with several preschool directors and staff over the years.
However, my family and I have discerned that God has set this time for me to move on to another ministry opportunity, both for my growth as a pastor and for our financial wellbeing. Meanwhile, Pastor Maria will be remaining at our home in Mauldin and continuing in her call as chaplain of Lutheran Hospice in the Upstate, as well as stated supply pastor at Augsburg Lutheran Church in Union. We will use the time of my new short-term call to continue praying about where the Holy Spirit will take both of us in our future ministry careers. Please know that our marriage is strong and this is not about any problems in our relationship. I am limiting myself to three nights away from home each week while serving St. John’s.
You will always be in my prayers, especially as you begin working with Bishop Aebischer, and then whoever the Holy Spirit calls to be our new bishop starting in the fall, to seek pastoral care and leadership in the coming weeks and months. These times of transition are never easy, but I trust that God will give you guidance and wisdom.
May the peace of Christ be with you today, tomorrow, and always!
With love and gratitude for our time together,
The Rev. Sean A. Miller-Perez
