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A Word From Edie
Reflections
Dear Friends,
A new year brings new beginnings and that is certainly the case for Northeast Georgia Presbytery! You have now heard the good news - Hilary Neufeld Shuford will be joining the staff and ministry of Northeast Georgia Presbytery as our Transitional General Presbyter. Hilary's first day will be Wednesday, January 15. I am pleased with the decision and feel confident that Hilary is just the person we need at this time!
We were indeed fortunate to have had such a dedicated, hard-working Search Committee which spent a great deal of time praying about their responsibility, meeting together, and communicating via phone and e-mail. They reviewed Personal Information Forms, checked references, interviewed candidates, discussed, and discerned God's leading for our presbytery. And then they made their recommendation to the Coordinating Team! Please join me in thanking each of them for their time and service: Glenn Newsome (convener), Travis Adams, Cheryl Barnes, Ruth O'Dell, and Otis Smith.
As I reflect on the past year, I am reminded of the following dates: February 25, 2013, was when Ken shared his retirement news with the presbytery staff. The Personnel Committee met on March 7. The Coordinating Team held a special meeting on March 20, during which they appointed a Search Committee. The Search Committee met on April 30. A "thank you, happy retirement, and goodbye" reception was held for Ken and Jane on June 23. Ken's last day in the office was June 27. Whew! And that was just the beginning.
2013 was a busy, different sort of year for many of us, filled with mixed emotions, numerous meetings (the regular ones and lots of extra ones), feelings of uncertainty at times, as well as an excitement for the possibility of new opportunities that come with change. Within our churches we have shared pain and loss, as well as healing and growth. We have welcomed new members and new pastors, and have said goodbye to others. We have laughed and cried together. We have baptized young and old, held hands at bedsides, sat in silence when words seemed inadequate or inappropriate, worshipped together, and prayed together. A new year provides us with even more opportunities to share our stories and our lives.
Your presbytery staff did its best during this past year to continue to provide dependable support for the work and ministry in which we are involved. It is with genuine gratitude that I express thanks to Linda Turner, Kathy Gunter, Anita Green, and Joe Berry for their commitment to this presbytery, their help to me, and their continued faithful service during this time of transition. (Thanks, also, to my loving, understanding, and patient friend and husband,
Joe, who provides more help than you will ever know, to me and to the presbytery.)
I also want to thank the Personnel Committee for the care they provided the staff, especially during this past year. Thank you Glenn Newsome (chair), Sibley Bryan, Karla Conditt Daniels, Donna Davis, and Joyce Rife!
Please continue to pray for guidance as we step into this new year. Pray for Hilary as she gets to know us, as she helps us discern where God is leading this presbytery, and as she shares her gifts and talents with us. Continue to pray for each person on the presbytery staff, as we welcome Hilary into our midst, learn more about each other, and begin to form a new team. Remember the Coordinating Teamin your prayers, as they discuss, listen, and make recommendations, working closely together as we plan for the future. Pray for the work of our ministry and action teams, and for each of our congregations, the pastors and members, that we will hear and know how best to respond to the needs of those around us, sharing the good news of God's love by word and example. Pray for all of the ministers in our presbytery, who are serving the Lord in significant and diverse ways. And please continue to keep our denomination and its leaders in your prayers.
Thank you for allowing me to serve as your Acting General Presbyter these past 6½ months. It has been a privilege (and at times, a challenge). Thank you for your prayers, for the help many of you provided, and for the frequent words of encouragement and care which I received.
With sincere appreciation,
Edie
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