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A Word of Gratitude for Faithful Servants
As we approach the end of the year, Emmanuel enters a season of both gratitude and transition. After many years of faithful service, our two office coordinators, Debi Hammett and Becky Rothgery, have made the decision to retire at the close of this year. It is difficult to put into words just how much they have meant to me and to the entire congregation, but it is important that I try.
Debi and Becky have been far more than office staff. They have been faithful servants of Emmanuel—working behind the scenes, shaping nearly every aspect of our shared life together. For years, they have been the steady presence at the front desk, the calming voice on the phone, and the problem-solvers who somehow kept everything moving forward, even when the rest of us didn’t quite know how.
Over the years, they have supported numerous pastors, staff, and council members with professionalism, grace, and a deep institutional knowledge of our congregation. They have cared for members in moments of joy and sorrow, welcomed newcomers, answered countless questions, prepared worship materials, managed schedules, organized communications, and handled the daily details that make ministry possible. Much of what happens at Emmanuel has happened smoothly and faithfully because Debi and Becky were there— arriving early, leaving late, and always with a genuine desire to serve Christ through our church.
The work of an office coordinator is often invisible when it is done well, and yet its impact is felt everywhere. Debi and Becky have helped shape the culture of Emmanuel as a place of warmth, order, hospitality, and care. Their faithfulness has been a powerful witness to what it means to serve the church with one’s whole heart.
On behalf of the entire congregation— pastors, staff, and church councils both past and present, I want to offer our deepest thanks to Debi and Becky for their years of dedication, kindness, and faithful service. We give thanks to God for them, for the gifts they have shared, and for the many ways they have helped Emmanuel be the church.
We will be honoring Debi and Becky's journey with us as a staff and council at our annual office celebration, and the congregation will have the opportunity to recognize, give thanks, and bless them and their years their service to Emmanuel next month (January) at one of our weekend worship services.
As they step into retirement, we pray God’s blessing upon them—prayers for rest, joy, good health, and new adventures in the seasons ahead. Though their roles are changing, they are still faithful members of Emmanuel, and will always be a cherished part of our congregation and it's story.
Thank you, Debi and Becky, for all that you are and all that you've done for Emmanuel. Well done, good and faithful servants. You will be deeply missed.
With a grateful heart,
Pastor Will
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