The sign out front this week as I write this letter says, “Thank you Ann and Amy.” It is just one more way for us to express our gratitude to Ann Curtis and Amy Simpson as they both leave the staff for new opportunities.
Ann worked so capably as our Office Manager for five years. She was so much more than a secretary, so much more than a receptionist, so much more than an administrative assistant. She kept our website current, prepared the weekly worship bulletin, managed the building, answered the telephones, helped edit and produce the newsletter, and juggled the needs of the rest of the staff as well as the various ministry teams. And she managed to do it all with a smile on her face!
Amy Simpson was part of our Early Learning Center staff for four years: the first two in the classroom, and then the past two years as our Assistant Director. Like Ann, she brought a smile to her job. Her love for children was as obvious as her devotion to the ministry we provide through our ELC.
ELC has already filled the Assistant Director’s position with Jody Ritner. Jody has been a part of our ELC family for 20 years, most recently as the lead teacher for the Purple Bears – the pre-kindergarten class. We are blessed to have Jody succeed Amy.
Our Personnel Ministry Team, chaired by Elder Scott Myers, is working to fill the Office Manager’s position. They’ve updated the job description and have posted it on the church website, as well as on the National Capital Presbytery’s website. They have posted the opening through other sources, too, all in an effort to find the best person to fill Ann’s big shoes.
At its June meeting the Session discussed the practice that a growing number of churches have adopted in recent years of separating staff positions from church membership. Things can become complicated and stressful when a person is employed by the place that is also his or her church -- the place he or she looks to for spiritual growth, renewal and refreshment.
Many churches have put in place boundaries to assure that for members the church is a not a place of employment, but the member’s spiritual home. Our Session has adopted that policy for the Office Manager’s position. This will assure that the person in this demanding and sensitive job will be fully able to put in the long hours the job requires, and then find renewal and refreshment on Sunday morning at his or her church.
I am excited to be part of the process as we discern whom God has chosen for us to join our staff and be part of our team. We are a busy, dynamic place as we follow the Head of our church, our Lord Jesus Christ.
Grace & peace,
Pastor Skip
