On December 4, 1998 at the Montgomery Presbyterian Church, the Presbytery of West Virginia installed me to serve as your Executive Presbyter.  On December 3, 2009, at First Presbyterian in Charleston, the Presbytery granted to me the status of honorably retired, effective December 31, 2009.  For more than a decade, it has been both a distinct honor and a joyful privilege to serve in this installed position.

 

I continue to remain in the state of euphoria which began as we celebrated our lives together during the December Presbytery meeting. I am so grateful for the gracious notes, cards and messages which have marked this event. I am overwhelmed by your generous contributions to my "retirement account." You may be assured that I will be a good steward of these "treasures" in the days ahead! Thank you, thank you for your affirmation, support and affection.  And special thanks to Doug Heidt for his energy and imagination as he crafted the tribute which included greetings from so many special folks with whom I have worked and served over the years. It was a delightful time of sharing and I am deeply touched by these treasured memories.

 

In the waning days of 2009, we were caught up in the review of the events of the decade and reminded of the challenges and opportunities that we have faced individually and corporately as a nation.  The presbytery has experienced similar challenges and opportunities as we have been called to live as faithful stewards of the gifts, talents and resources which God has so abundantly bestowed upon us.  Over and over again, we have responded and we have been blessed.  I am grateful for the leadership of pastors, educators, congregations and those who have served in so many ways as part of the presbytery's structure - council, committees, task forces, and special commissions.  Together, we have crafted an honest reputation of harmony and good will both as a governing body and as a faithful community of believers.

 

As I experienced the last days of 2009, I was and still am head over heels in the process of packing the office, sorting the books, (wouldn't it be good if all our books were of the same size? – it surely would make packing boxes much easier!!) and determining what to do with all the treasures and trinkets collected over the years.  I am reminded of our good times together, the laughter we have shared, the deep and abiding friendships that are a part of our connectional polity and theology. We do belong together and because of that, leaving is difficult. Yet, we celebrate the ties that bind our hearts in Christian love and we rejoice!

 

My immediate plans include remaining in West Virginia for an unforeseen time. I have work to do on the house as I prepare it for the FOR SALE sign which I hope can be in place by mid-spring. Then, I'll pray for patience as I wait for the right person to come along and want to live in the home I have enjoyed sharing with many of you and others who have come to visit wild and wonderful West Virginia.

 

Long range plans include settling down in a retirement community, probably in western North Carolina. Before making a final decision, I plan to visit once more the three places which are of greatest interest to me so that when the decision is made, I will feel that it is the right one for me.  Meanwhile, know that I am excited about the possibilities that are before this presbytery.  The Interim EP Search committee is hard at work and my prayers surround them. God already has someone tapped for the incredible opportunity to serve as your interim leader. I pledge my prayers and support for whoever that person is and for the identified leadership and each of you in PWV as well.

 

In an Epiphany letter received in 2009, dear friends wrote about the magi and I commend this to you as my Epiphany greeting: 

 

"They brought expensive gifts. Their gifts were not purchased on 'black Fridays.'  Their journeys were not covered by frequent mileage points. They heard, as from a whisper from God, that what they would find would be worth their journey. We don't know the impact their visit had on their lives. We do know that many who came after them to visit that Jesus of humble birth, found new life.".

 

May 2010 be filled with the discovery of new possibilities to relate to God and one another. And may your days go well.

 

                                                                                                                                                                                Grace and peace to all, Gay