Advent begins a new church year in our worshipping life together, as we begin anew with
reading the stories of Jesus and God’s redemption for the world in holy scripture. But
organizationally, January 1 starts our new church year as our lay leaders transition in and out of
their roles as officers, committee and servant team chairs and deacons. As the end of the year
draws near, we have some “thank yous” to offer!
Our Chair of Church Council is our church’s moderator, with responsibilities for leading church
council and church conference and serving on several key committees. But more than that, the
Chair of Church Council helps to set direction and offer guidance for the church staff and
congregation in nearly everything that we do. David Cooke is finishing a three-year-term as
Council Chair. If David had known all of the change that the church would see in his tenure
three years ago, he might not have said yes! But he has served with faithfulness and
dependability and steadiness with a strong commitment to the well-being of this church, and
we are deeply grateful for his leadership. We are excited that Bryan Whitfield will begin in this
role in the new year.
Other key leaders are concluding their terms, and we offer them our gratitude as well. Tricia
Whitby, our Deacon Chair, will move into the Past-Chair role, where she will continue to offer
support and guidance to our new Deacon Chair, Hunter Godsey. Tricia has served with
thoughtfulness and compassion, with both gentleness and strength, and we are grateful for the
ways that she has encouraged and empowered our deacons, particularly as they stepped up in
congregational care during our interim season.
Other committee chairs and servant team chairs will conclude their tenure of service as well. These chairs have led their respective groups for at least three years, with many of them
serving much longer.
Those rotating out of their positions include:
Danielle Barnes, Properties Committee Chair
Connie Jones, Missions Committee Chair
Suzy McCullough, Church Trustee
Dan Riley, Nominating Committee Chair
Andrea Stinson, Children’s Committee Chair
Amy Wiles, Church Clerk
As I write these names, I find myself overwhelmed with gratitude for these and all of the other
church leaders and volunteers who really do keep the work of this church going, both
organizationally and in our mission and ministry. This is the beauty of a Baptist church – each
one of us has a role to play in what we do together, and it takes each one of us offering our gifts
and time. As you see these folks, thank them for the ways they have served us so well, and
prayerfully consider where you might invest in the life of our church as they have.