Those were the days

During a bit of research recently, I came across a story in the Burlington Gazette from Sept. 6, 1939, at which time Knox had a vacancy in the pulpit, and the call for applications brought in no less than 69 potential candidates.

Some 74 years later, Knox is once again seeking a candidate to fill the pulpit, but unlike the situation experienced in 1939, there is not such a wealth of candidates – at least not 69 to wade through. However, Knox does have some excellent candidates and the search committee is doing its due diligence in seeking out the right person for this church. The search committee has had one meeting in January already, members of the search committee are out listening to a candidate this Sunday, and yet another meeting is scheduled for later this month.

And so, while the vacancy is now approaching two years, progress is being made, but in the meantime, Knox is being well served through able assistance of our interim moderator, Rev. Bob Docherty, as well as excellent pulpit supply, which, for the month of January, will be Marilyn Repchuck.

Defibrillator instruction

Church members are reminded that this Sunday will see yet another instruction session on just how to use the defibrillator which has been donated to the church, and which is situated on the wall across from the elevator.

Capt. Gary Macdonald of the Burlington Fire Department will be in charge of the demonstration that will be held in Fellowship Hall. There is an open invitation for everyone in the church to attend this session, and to learn how to operate this important piece of equipment.

Trish is leaving

For anyone not in church on Jan. 6, the following is the announcement I made concerning our church administrator, Trish Redding.

There has been a familiar face around the church office for a great many years – five years as church administrator, another seven before that as an office assistant.

But after those many years of service, Trish Redding has decided to step down, to do things on a personal level, to follow a new path down life’s highway.

Trish has been a valuable member of the church staff, and as clerk I am saddened that she is leaving, but happy for her as she sets out on this new chapter in her life.

Trish is going to be very flexible in her timetable. She would like to leave by the end of February, and thus see Knox through its annual meeting. If we don’t have any one in place by that date, she will stay on until such time as the administrator’s job is filled.

Ideally, she would like to be in a position where she could train her replacement so that the transition is as smooth as possible.

With that in mind, the Knox personnel committee will be seeking candidates immediately. They will seek out potential candidates from the Knox family during the month of January, and if necessary, the committee will advertise outside of Knox early in February. Notices will be included in the church bulletin, and on the bulletin board in the hallway outside the transept starting Jan. 13th.

We thank Trish for the invaluable service she has provided to this congregation, so often going well beyond her job description to be of service to the Knox family and to others who come through our church doors.