BRANCHES January 2015

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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
elate SOUTHWOOD ON A PERSONAL NOTE Dear Southwood, Since the announcement of Jean’s resignation, many of you have asked me or Christy if I am a candidate for senior pastor. After prayer and consideration, I have decided at this time not to be considered for that position. Let me try to explain briefly. Christy and I love Southwood and Huntsville deeply. We love being here and hope to continue serving and raising our family with you. I feel called more clearly than ever to be a pastor at Southwood, especially during this important transitional season. I think it is best for the whole body, of which I am joyfully a part, if I focus right now on being a pastor rather than a candidate. I want to serve where I am clearly called rather than contemplating a calling that God has not yet given to me. Having an existing pastor who is also a candidate for senior pastor can be a challenging dynamic for him and his family as well as for the congregation. It can be awkward or confusing and at times even divisive—the thought of which I hate for Southwood in this season. My desire is that we will remain unified together in our commitment to what God has called us to as a church. In particular, I hope this decision will enable the potential search committee to have the broadest possible search necessary for the man God would call to Southwood without having to tiptoe around me. Please continue to pray with me for God to direct this committee and prepare the man he is calling to Southwood. God is teaching me that because Jesus keeps a firm grip on his bride, Southwood, I can and must hold her in an open hand and trust his provision and timing. While Southwood is the church I love and serve, she is not “my church” in the possessive sense. I trust God will continue to make clear to me how I can best love and serve Southwood going forward, just as I believe this decision is his clear direction at this time. Thank you for your constant love and support for me and my family and for all the encouraging words we have received recently. I am looking forward to sharing even this next transitional season with you and enjoying what is always the abundant care of our Good Shepherd. I feel certain He will astonish us with the good things He has in store that we couldn’t possibly deserve or imagine! With deep affection, Small Groups: next wave Deadline: January 11th, 2015 Sign up at southwood.org/growingsmall JANUARY 2015 | SOUTHWOOD.ORG 11
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BRANCHES January 2015

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