"For everything there is a season, 
and a time for every matter under heaven."
                                         - Ecclesiastes 3:1
 
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
 
       With a mixture of joy and sadness, I write to let you know that Easton Davis, our youth director, has accepted a full-time position as youth missioner for our diocese.  Easton has been on staff for the past four years and I can honestly say that I have never met a more talented youth minister in my twenty-one years as a priest.  Easton took our youth program from it's small, struggling beginnings and helped us grow it into the largest youth program in the diocese.  He quickly gained recognition around the diocese as he put together several large programs for us that grew into ministries for the youth in our diocese.  During the last four years, Easton's energy, faith, and commitment to our youth have been a true inspiration.  I have been privileged to forge a strong friendship with Easton, as have many of us.  Along with Daniel, Easton has helped St. Columba's continue to have strong leadership which has enabled us continue to grow into a vital, Spirit-filled parish where love is found, all are named, and hearts are freed to change the world.

       Easton's last day with us will be Youth Sunday, 22 May.  We will have the time to celebrate Easton's ministry with us as well as wish him Godspeed in his future endeavors at a parish dinner celebration on Sunday, 24 April at 5:00 pm.  I hope you will join us for this celebration.

       The good news is that in Easton's position as our diocesan youth missioner, we will still see him a good bit at St. Columba's.  So while we will bid him farewell from St. Columba's staff, we will continue in mutual ministry with him in those diocesan events in which we will continue to participate.

       I have begun the search for a new youth director to lead our growing and strong program at St. Columba's.  This search may take some time, because we have a large program to maintain and new areas in which God is calling us to grow.  So we will be patient in our search and confident that God will raise up for us the right person to succeed Easton.  I look forward to your input, your ideas, your prayers, and especially your support during this transition.  

       In the meantime, let us give thanks to God for Easton, the mark Easton has made on our parish - an indelible mark that will remain with us forever.  He has left some pretty big shoes to fill, but for that we can rejoice and be glad.  So while the words of Ecclesiastes echo in our minds, it has been a glorious season with Easton and as much as we may not like the time for a new season to begin for Easton we must also remember the words of psalmist, "this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes." God has great plans in store for Easton, to be sure.  And for us, I have every confidence God will lay forth a new chapter where greater things are still to be done.

       To God be the glory!

                                                                                    Peace and Blessing,
                                                                                                Father Tripp+
 
 

St. Columba's Church
939 James Burgess Road
Suwanee, GA 30024