Ann Walker has been the secretary of CPC since January of 1995. For more than fourteen years she has faithfully served this congregation.
Now she has decided it is time to step down. Like many of us, she has elderly parents for whom she is concerned. They live in Maryville, and therefore Ann wants to be free to respond to their needs and to spend more time with them.
Week after week Ann prepares The Newsletter. In part that includes editing the articles written by various members of the staff. On most occasions, of course, those articles are mine.
I can’t begin to tell you how many mistakes she has corrected, how many sentences she has rewritten, and how many times she has suggested that perhaps I should find another way to express what I’m trying to communicate, because what I’ve written comes across as somewhat insensitive and demanding!
Ann is also responsible week after week for the bulletin. And, of course, the “special” bulletins that are prepared during the years — Christmas, Easter, Special Services, Weddings — are almost always her creation.
These past many months, Ann and others have worked tirelessly to prepare my manuscript for publication. I don’t know how many hours she has spent correcting my mistakes. And there’s no telling how many times she’s read my book from beginning to end, searching one more time for errors and typos.
More important than all of the above, Ann has become a dear friend. I will miss her dearly. She is a wonderful Christian woman, and she and Mike — who serves as a ruling elder of our congregation — are a wonderful couple who exemplify in many ways what it means to be followers of Jesus Christ.
With Ann’s departure we will begin a search for a new secretary. The job is part time, approximately 24 hours a week. It’s not the kind of job someone looking for full time employment would want.
And then, of course, the church secretary has to be willing and able to work with the staff and me — which is a challenge all of its own.
For many, the church secretary is the face of the church — which is obviously better than if it were me! She’s the one depended upon to know everything that needs to be known, and to remind those who need to be reminded of what they’re suppose to be doing, where they’re suppose to be, and when they’re suppose to be there!
During the interim period, Domekia Gaines will serve as church secretary. She will spend the next three weeks being trained by Ann. Ann will step down the end of August.
It’s an important job. Ann has fulfilled her duties with a quiet dignity and inner strength. We’ll miss her. I’ll miss her.
So pray for Ann and Mike during this time of change in their lives. Remember Ann’s parents in your prayers for the Walkers. And pray for Domekia as she prepares to take on these responsibilities as we search for a permanent replacement for Ann.
I encourage you to take the time to express to Ann your appreciation for her many years of faithful service to you and to her Lord.
Pastor Caines