Giving thanks for Dr. Carol Strickland’s faithful ministry
Dear Friends in Christ,
In our Presbyterian way of being the church, when a candidate is ordained to the office of Minister of Word and Sacrament, he or she takes a number of ordination vows, including this one:
Will you be a faithful Minister of the Word and Sacrament, proclaiming the good news in Word and Sacrament, teaching faith and caring for people? Will you be active in government and discipline, serving in the councils of the church, and in your ministry will you try to show the love and justice of Jesus Christ?
For almost four decades, Dr. Carol Strickland has steadfastly fulfilled her ordination vows, faithfully serving congregations in Missouri, South Carolina, and Georgia. At the March 17 stated meeting of the Session of First Presbyterian Church, Carol announced that she has discerned that God is calling her to retire, and she has petitioned Northeast Georgia Presbytery to begin the process of dissolving her call to First Presbyterian Church.
If the way be clear, at the May 14 stated meeting, the presbytery will act upon Carol’s request and grant her Honorably Retired status. Her last Sunday in worship will be May 22. Subsequently, she and Jack plan to relocate to their beautiful home in the mountains of southwest Virginia.
There will be much more to come from Carol and from the Session in the weeks ahead as we celebrate Carol’s years of service and as we plan for future ministry at First Presbyterian Church. In the meantime, we joyfully give thanks for God’s call to Carol and Jack and for all the gifts that their faithful ministry has produced among us.
Peace be with you and yours,
Dr. Ryan Baer
Senior Pastor