BRANCHES January 2015

SOUTHWOOD
relate
SESSION UPDATE
The Session is excited about a number of things happening in
the life of Southwood in the coming month. The Express Grace
Conference will occur on January 17 and 18 with special guest
Scotty Smith. We encourage everyone to attend the Saturday
evening dinner and teaching session as well as the Sunday
Seminar hour and worship service where we will hear again from
Scotty. Please take advantage of this unique opportunity for us to
host this seasoned and beloved pastor and author in our church.
The Session is also looking forward to the stated Congregational
Meeting on February 1, 2015, where we will vote on a slate of new
Elders and Deacons to serve Southwood. The following men have
been nominated by the congregation and recommended by the
Session to be put forward for election to the office of Ruling Elder:
David Clark, Tim Howard,
Russell Joffrion, Alan Judge,
George Mayer, and James
McCoy. Tim Adcock and Brax
Watkins have been nominated
and recommended for the
office of Deacon. A separate
publication will be available
in mid-January to help the
congregation get to know
more about these men. It is
always such a joy to add new
leaders to help shepherd and
guide the church in the future.
Interim Specifics
• During the month of December the Southwood Session
continued to develop and implement a transition plan for the
interim season that is ahead. It is with great hope that we look
forward to what God will do in our midst during the coming
season.
• The Session has formed a Transition Committee of elders and
deacons to serve the Session in handling plans for the interim
season. Additionally, plans for filling the pulpit, intentional
decisions to ensure clear and consistent communication with
the congregation during this season and a clear plan to ensure
day to day administrative continuity in the Southwood office
have been put in place.
• Beginning January 4, the pulpit of Southwood will primarily
be filled by our two associate pastors, Will Spink and Chad
At the annual Congregational Meeting on February
1, 2015, we will vote on a slate of new Elders
and Deacons to serve Southwood. The following
men have been nominated by the congregation
and recommended by the Session to be put
forward for election to the office of Ruling Elder:
David Clark, Tim Howard, Russell Joffrion, Alan
Judge, George Mayer, and James McCoy. Tim
Adcock and Brax Watkins have been nominated
and recommended for the office of Deacon.
Townsley. Will and Chad will be preaching a new sermon series
on the book of Ephesians. Plans are also being made to host a
small number of guest speakers through the first quarter of the
year. The Session considers it a blessing to have strong men
on staff who can carry the load as well as good relationships
outside of Southwood that will give us the opportunity to hear
God’s Word from other gifted teachers.
At the December 7 congregational meeting, two actions were taken:
1) We approved the request to Providence Presbytery for the
dissolution of the Pastoral relationship between Jean F. Larroux,
III and Southwood. This request will now be submitted to the
Presbytery for their final approval. Jean Larroux’s resignation will
be effective January 1, 2015.
2) The congregation additionally
approved the membership
breakdown of the Pastoral
Search Committee. The composition
will be as follows:
Four (4) Active Officers (of
which at least one shall be a
Deacon) and Four (4) at-large
members (of which at least 3
must be females).
No individuals of the committee
were voted upon at the December
7 meeting. This action
allows the congregation more
time to submit names to the Session for consideration. This also
allows the Session ample time to continue to gather these names
and thoughtfully consider its recommendation of who should
serve in this vital role. Nominations will continue to be accepted
for Sessional consideration until January 6. The Session has called
a congregational meeting for January 11 for the purpose of voting
upon the specific membership of the search committee. Until this
time, please prayerfully consider making nominations by emailing
pastorsearch@southwood.org.
Please be in prayer for the entire interim season and search
process ahead of us. Pray for the Holy Sprit’s guidance and
strength as there are many details to be planned and executed in
the process of finding Southwood’s next Senior Pastor. As always,
any questions can be directed to elders@southwood.org or by
finding a Session member on a Sunday morning.
10 JANUARY 2015 | SOUTHWOOD.ORG