Back in March, I shared with you that Susan Scott, our beloved Director of Women’s Ministry for the last 7 years, was going to be leaving our staff team at the end of May. Susan’s husband Brian was nominated to be the next District Superintendent of the Great Lakes District of the C&MA pending a vote this week. I am writing today to share that Brian has been officially elected, and so they will be relocating to Michigan as planned in June. We celebrate Brian and Susan as they leave our FAC family to serve and lead this sister district!
Our entire staff would agree that Susan has been a joy to work alongside. She is godly, kind, dependable, and prayerful. She has done a wonderful job in leading and growing this important ministry. We are thankful for her enormous investment in us corporately as to so many personally.
We had mentioned in our March communication that an interim plan for Women’s Ministry leadership would be released in coming days. Now that the Scott’s move is official, we are pleased to do so.
Doug Matthews, our Executive Pastor of Ministry Development, has spearheaded the leadership plan for Women’s Ministry beginning June 1. Please see his communication below.
Let’s continue to lean into all God has for us as a church. And when you see Brian and Susan in coming weeks, please thank them for all they have meant to you personally and to our church family.
Pastor Paul
Dear FAC Family:
In the months that I have overlapped with Susan the regular reports of life-changing effects of Women’s Ministry have been most encouraging. Even very recently we have been blessed with new group members, numerous new leaders stepping forward, great opportunities for sharing the faith, and testimonies of a deeper walk. Susan’s galvanizing and shepherding of the Women’s Ministry area has been blessed and will be missed.
In view of the importance of Women’s Ministry, wanting time to discern the right next leader to fill Susan’s position, and the time typically required to fill positions, an interim plan for Women’s Ministry Leadership has been created. The plan will go into effect on June 1. There are two significant parts.
First, Virginia McNutt, our current Administrative Assistant for Women’s Ministry, is increasing her hours and will be serving as the Interim Assistant to the Interim Director of Women’s Ministry. We are so thankful for Virginia and her leadership and administrative giftings!
Second, an Interim Director of Women’s Ministry has been selected. After a process of
- discerning the current needs for leadership,
- the wisdom of having an interim leader for this ministry now, and
- after an assessment of our current staffing realities and skill sets,
I have determined that Heather Smith will serve as the Interim Director of Women’s Ministry. She has extensive experience with 18 years of leadership in Women’s Ministry in her previous church as well as proven administrative competencies.
Heather will retain her current part-time (2/3rds) position of Pastor of Communications and Connections and will increase her hours during the interim period to also oversee this area.
Susan, Virginia, and Heather are already working in sync to shepherd the present and future of our treasured and influential Women’s Ministry program. Prayers and encouragement for all connected with WM are most welcome!
More information will be coming the first week of May to all the women from Susan, Virginia and Heather – via video and email. And I encourage all women to attend Susan’s farewell open house on Tuesday, May 7, between 4:30–6:30pm in the Founder’s Dining Room.
We are reminded that God is the builder and sustainer of the Church. We are thankful for a wonderful past and promising future for this important ministry of FAC.
Pastor Doug