THE WINDS OF CHANGE

What an exciting time this is for the life of Middle Presbyterian Church. We are seeing changes in personnel at many vital positions; Pastor, Church Secretary, Organist, and Youth Group Leader.

The church is pleased to welcome our new Pastor, Reverend Linda Snyder. Linda along with her husband, Don, moved to Mount Pleasant from Georgia. Linda has expressed with much enthusiasm her desire to be a strong leader for our church and community. We all played a role in this action because our information, provided to all eligible candidates, caught Linda’s attention and she contacted us personally.

With a heavy heart we say “Good-Bye” to Reverend Marnie Abraham-Russell. Pastor Marnie has been our interim pastor for nearly two years. She came at a time when the seas were rough. With experience and the Lord on her side, she captained the ship through the storm and kept us together as a strong congregation. She helped steer us into the future. Along the voyage with Marnie we experienced much together. Her family became a part of our church family. We cared for each other. We wish Reverend Marnie, her husband Ron, and her mother Ginnye only the best.

Judy Hauser has decided it is the right time in her life to resign as Church Secretary, a position she has held for 20 years (that is not a misprint). To put it into perspective for you, here are some of Judy’s accomplishments. 1040- number of Sundays that bulletins were prepared for worship (many with inserts and other important messages) this does not include special services Christmas Eve etc. 240- number of monthly newsletters prepared 20- number of Annual Budgets prepared for meetings 20- number of Annual Reports prepared for meetings 1040- number of trips to the post office to get the mail (this does not include dropping off mail to be sent) Add to this miscellaneous items such as ordering roses when there is a new baby in the congregation. Let’s not forget she was raising a family of her own. Thank you Judy, for your many years of tireless devotion to our church and to our Lord. It is our desire for you to enjoy your family.

Tracy Lemmon answered some prayers of the church as she has taken a leap of faith and accepted to fill the vacancy as Church Secretary. Tracy, her husband Dave, and children Amber and Ryan have been worshipping with us for almost four years now. Judy will guide Tracy when needed during the transition. Prayer and Faith are very powerful. When we lost Rich Anthony as our organist & choir director in October, many of us had faith that music would continue to be heard in our church. Our trustowrthy friend Marty Drexler came to our rescue. We began to advertise for the position and our prayers were answered. Judy Walker was urged by a friend to check us out. She heard a calling to exploit her talents. Judy graciously accepted the position of organist & choir director. She has been mentored by Marty on the features of our organ. Judy has also expressed a desire to help in other ways, such as vacation bible school. Judy’s husband, Larry, is Pastor at the Mount Pleasant Church of the Brethren. Jennifer Fosbrink, daughter of Tammy Sage, has been attending with her family. She announced to the Christian Education Committee that she would take on the role of Youth Group Leader. We are blessed to have Jennifer express a desire to lead our youth on their faith journey. We wish to say Thank You to Greg Higgins for his time involved with our young Christians. Greg has stepped down as Youth Group Leader in order to be with his growing family.

There is much to look forward to as this group of individuals start a new chapter for our friendly, family church in the country.