Dear Beloved Members of the United Ministry of Delhi,
Grace and peace to you in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!
As I prepare to begin my ministry among you on July 1st, my heart is filled with profound gratitude, joy, and hopeful anticipation. I consider it a great blessing and privilege to serve as your new local pastor and to be invited into the sacred life of this wonderful church community.
Although I had long known that there was a place called Delhi in the United States — a name that echoes the capital city of my home country, India — I never imagined that I would one day be appointed to serve here. And now, as I prepare to move to this beautiful part of the world, I find myself affectionately learning to call it “Delhai,” adapting myself joyfully to its culture and life. My learning begins here, and I am excited to grow alongside each of you.
My journey to this appointment has been both humbling and deeply enriching. In 2022, I came to the United States to pursue my theological studies at the Boston University School of Theology. These past three years have been transformative, as I completed my academic work and received my licensing as a local pastor. Leaving behind familiar surroundings, stepping into a new culture, and forming relationships with people of diverse backgrounds and stories—all of this has been an extraordinary gift from God, for which I am deeply grateful. I never cease to marvel at how God’s providence leads us to places and people beyond our imagination.
My call to ministry was a long-pending and unrealized task before I joined the Boston University School of Theology. Although I came from a family of pastors and my mother wanted me to pursue ministry, I was unable to fulfill my personal ambitions or familial legacy due to the hardships I faced in my younger days, both economically and otherwise. Before answering God’s call to ministry, I served for 35 years as an Associate Professor of Philosophy at The American College in Madurai, India, where I specialized in epistemology and completed my doctoral research. I believe the knowledge, insights, and experiences gained during those years will find new meaning and application in my ministry among you, as we study God’s Word, seek wisdom, and grow in faith together.
[Sujatha holding granddaughter Gia, Pastor Prem, daughter Mona, and son-in-law Jaiwant]
God has graciously blessed me with a loving family that has stood by me throughout this journey. My wife, Sujatha, who recently joined me here after resigning from her job in India, will be with me in Delhi, NY. Our daughter lives with her family in San Jose, California, and has blessed us with a precious granddaughter, Gia, who is now 18 months old. Adding to my joy is the presence of my son, Varun Immanuel, who is currently pursuing his Ph.D. in quantum physics at SUNY Albany. He will live with us in Delhi this year and commute to Albany twice weekly.
[Pastor Prem with his daughter, Mona (L), his wife Sujatha holding granddaughter, Gia, and his son Varun]
As we prepare for our move, I am deeply touched by the incredible outpouring of support and generosity from the United Ministry of Delhi. A dedicated team, led by Barbara Jones and Pastor Catherine Schuyler, Susan Ackerly, Fran Ackerly, Deb Kearney, the SPRC members, and many others, has worked tirelessly to make our transition smooth and welcoming. I am sincerely grateful to all who have donated furniture, kitchenware, and countless other items to prepare the parsonage for our arrival. Your kindness has already made us feel at home even before we set foot in Delhi.
I am especially looking forward to meeting each of you during our first worship service—a gathering around the Lord’s Table, where we will celebrate Holy Communion. There could be no better way to begin our journey together than at Christ’s table, where all are welcome, and where grace, love, and unity abound. I am eager to build relationships that transcend all barriers, share in the church’s life, and participate in its various ministries and activities with joy and humility.
As I join this congregation, I come not as one who has arrived but as one who desires to grow with you, share the love of Christ joyfully, and work together toward building a beloved community where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued. I am humbled by this church’s rich legacy, and I pledge to honor and uphold it while trusting that God will continue to lead us into a fruitful future for the sake of God’s Kingdom.
I step into this role with a sense of awe and reverence, confident that God, who has called me, will equip me for this sacred work. It is my prayer that, together, we may grow in faith, love, and service, and that our ministry will bear witness to the goodness of our Lord.
I look forward to seeing you all in the first week of July. Until then, may the grace and peace of Christ be with each of you.
With joy and gratitude,
Premkumar Immanuel Clement
