This past Sunday, February 28, Hazelwood members in attendance voted, unanimously, to call a new Senior Minister. While those at the meeting were able to meet him and ask questions, we are not able to provide any more details about him at this point. This will allow him the space to notify his current congregation, and for them to start planning the transition in an orderly manner.
What I can say, is everyone I’ve spoken to is excited at the prospects the future holds, and is eager to begin our new journey. At this point, we are planning on him starting around the first of June.
I would also like to take this time to once again thank all the members of the Search Committee in its various forms: Shirley Bookout, Wendy Rees, Amy Stucky, John Starnes, Kelly Heavilon, Andy Rowe, Jack Carmichael, Tom Schnuck, Myrna Atkinson, Eric Shirk, and Mike Haars. Our first meeting was early May, 2014. In the intervening time, we’ve had many ups and downs; but through it we’ve grown as a congregation, laughed, shed some tears, and learned how to come together.
As we await the new minister’s arrival, let us continue to be in prayer for each other, and remember, we are to be the change we want to see at Hazelwood. If we wish to grow the church, reach out to our neighbors- it is up to us. We can’t let someone standing on a bridge holding the rope pull us up.
~Tony Gill, Search Committee
