May 24, RETIREMENT, May 24, Jim and Joan. Joint Retirement Party for Jim Potter & Joan Gill Sunday, May 24, 2015

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1 May 24, 2015 Lennoxville United Church Thanks Jim and Joan RETIREMENT, May 24, 2015 Joint Retirement Party for Jim Potter & Joan Gill Sunday, May 24, 2015 After the regular Church service on Sunday, May 24 th, 2015, Dave McCormack stepped forward to act as Master of Ceremonies of the special programme organized to pay tribute to our two retirees: Rev. Jim Potter, our Minister of 22 years, who will retire at the end of July 2015 and Joan Gill, who has been our Church Secretary for 40 years and who will retire in September Ministry and Personnel Committee member Kristan McKercher spoke glowingly of Joan Gill s contribution to Lennoxville United noting, in particular, her skill and grace in dealing with the individual members of our Church and making sure that all of the Church s activities run smoothly. Claudia and Pierre Demers, also members of the M&P Committee, with a few well-chosen words, presented Joan with a monetary gift and a lovely, engraved crystal vase in which rested a beautiful bouquet of cream and pink roses. Eloquently and graciously, Mrs. Gill thanked everyone for her parting gifts and expressed her gratitude for having been given the opportunity to spend 40 enjoyable years of service to the Church and for the many, many friendships she has made during her time at Lennoxville United.

2 Emily Potter read a lovely poem composed by her sister Beth which was a tribute to their father. In this innovative way, she, Beth and Jennifer were able to express their retirement wishes to their Dad. Their brother, Geoff and his family will experience the festivities, even in faraway Holland when they receive the video made by Mandy Demers Hinds. Esther Barnett, Chairman of the Official Board, spoke thankfully of the many qualities that have endeared Rev. Jim Potter to her and the rest of the congregation. His sense of humour, gentle spirit, compassionate caring and belief in the goodness of others inspire us daily and, over the years, have changed all who have been fortunate enough to have known and worked with and beside him. Esther noted, as we all have done, that Jim s retirement will leave a void that will take time, patience and great good fortune to fill but that as he begins this new phase of his life, we all wish him good health and happiness on his journey. Esther spoke also of the selfless contribution that Louise has made to her husband s successes as our minister noting that she, too, has enriched the life of our Church and her husband s role in it. Esther noted that, as Louise retires from teaching this year, our thoughts and prayers go with her for a retirement that is equally as long and rewarding as her husband s.

3 At Dave McCormack s request, Claudia and Pierre Demers came forward to offer Jim a monetary gift of deep appreciation from the Congregation and a crystal memento bearing an engraved photograph of Lennoxville United Church as well as a heartfelt tribute. At the same time, they presented Louise with a beautiful bouquet of flowers. With his usual gentle humour and humility, Jim expressed his deep appreciation for his and Louise s beautiful gifts noting that he was very glad that he still had some time prior to his departure to absorb the very kind and emotion-filled words of farewell expressed by Esther Barnett and Pierre and Claudia Demers on behalf of the Congregation. The Choir, accompanied by Organist and Choir Director, Maryse Simard, sang an original composition by Barbara and Larry Boire entitled, A Tribute to a Christian. At the end of the programme, by way of one of Barbara s original comedic skits, she and Larry presented the beautifully framed first page of the composition to Jim and Louise Potter.

4 MC Dave McCormack then invited Rev. Jim to ask the Blessing and invited the Congregation to follow the retirees and their families to the Lower Hall for a time of fellowship and refreshments. Following a delicious lunch, prepared and served by members and friends of Unit 6 UCW, Jim and Joan were invited to make the first cuts in their respective retirement cakes which were then served with ice cream to those assembled, along with their choice of beverage. During the programme in the Church and the social hour many, many pictures were taken which will be shared with the honourees, some of which appear with this article. A keepsake guest book for Jim Potter and one for Joan Gill were circulated by Kevin Lapointe and Shirley Bassett and gift bags were set out to receive retirement cards from well-wishers.

5 Reverend Potter s last service as our minister will be on Sunday, July 26 th, bringing to a close the month during which we will host our friends from Plymouth-Trinity United. Then, for the month of August, we are invited to attend Plymouth-Trinity, beginning on Sunday, August 2 nd when Plymouth- Trinity will be honouring Rev. Potter on his retirement after their service that day. (Submitted by Frankie & Jack Noble) Jack Noble, always taking the pictures, but never in them.

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