My name is Matthew Hill. You can call me Matt. I serve as your chairperson of the Staff-Parish Relations Team. Staff-Parish Relations oversees personnel matters in the church.

I have several updates I want to share with you. First, Jonathan Stoots, Director of Music Ministries, submitted his letter of resignation last Sunday with two weeks’ notice to take a secular job as a music instructor. While Jonathan offered to serve those two weeks, I advised Pastor David and Debbie Sprague, Church Treasurer, to let Jonathan know his services were no longer needed, and we would pay him until June 15th. We wish Jonathan and his wife Addison well in their future endeavors.

I am pleased to announce that Janelle Woodyard has accepted the role of interim Director of Music Ministries for at least the next three months to give us time to find a new Music Director. Janelle is a seasoned worship leader at First Presbyterian Church of Mt. Dora and LifePointe Baptist Church in Eustis. She comes to us highly recommended, and at an opportune time in the life of our church. Janelle will also help to lead the production of Bethlehem in the Gulch for our theater camp and Christmas in July week. Janelle owned a travel agency for many years, but her passion and call has always been leading God’s people in worship.

Furthermore, because of a very generous donation, we will also be seeking more worship leaders for our 9:30 am service.

I am grateful to Linda Criswell, church leader and fellow member of the Staff-Relations Team who has been serving as our Staff-Parish Relations representative on the Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries Search Team.

This Search Team is co-led by Sunny Grothaus and Rachel Laursen. Hilary Harman, Janet Westlake, and David Averill are also on the team.

We have had 70 applications, 18 video interviews, and hope to have 1 to 3 on-site interviews in the next few weeks.

We have had more success with receiving quality and experienced applicants this time around, spending more on advertising and actually listing the salary range for the position.

While we are no hurry to hire for this position because we have the steady, interim leadership of Michelle Chevalier, I believe we have great prospects to find permanent, spiritual leadership for our youth ministry, and grow our youth ministry again.

I am also pleased to announce that Rosemary Plummer, Certified Lay Minister, has formally joined our staff in a volunteer capacity as Minister of Congregational Care.

Lastly, I want to commend Pastor David and Janet Westlake, Diaconal Minister for all they do behind the scenes to steady the church like a ship. They are great first mates to our ship’s captain to the Lord Jesus Christ.

Pastor David was recently accepted to a prestigious Leader’s Way program at Yale Divinity School. This leadership program is funded by the venerable and well-endowed Trinity Episcopal Church on Wall Street. Pastor David told me that Alexander Hamilton is buried in the churchyard of Trinity Church.

As a part of Bishop Tom Berlin’s advice to send all clergy on a retreat this year to study Methodist doctrine, Pastor David will attend the Leader’s Way from June 17 to 22, and study Methodist doctrine at Yale’s extensive library. Pastor David offered to back out of this retreat to help the church in light of Jonathan’s resignation. However, the church and the Florida Conference have already made an investment to get David to Yale Divinity School. I hope you will support my decision to encourage Pastor David to get away. God has got this.

As parents to a toddler and a newborn, my wife Meredith and I are excited to be a part of the future of this church and raise our girls as followers of Christ. Thank you for your time, attention, and prayerful support during this time of transition. Please feel free to get in touch with me, Pastor David, or Janet Westlake through the church office at 352-383-2005 if you have any questions or concerns.

Sincerely,

Matt Hill, SPRC Chairperson