We have a special announcement about Caroline Wood and her ministry here in East Tennessee. To donate to Grace Point Camp & Retreat Center in honor of Caroline, click here.
Caroline:
Friends in East Tennessee, it’s with a heavy heart that I announce my departure as your Missioner for Youth and Young Adults. The past few years have taught me so much about discipleship, servanthood and joy, and I have been blessed to work with our youth and young adults at Happening, New Beginnings, and in their leadership committees. The next step for me takes me to Lexington, Kentucky, where I’ll be a GIS analyst for a company called HDR, which is nationally recognized for its engineering and green design. Many of you know I’ve spent the past four years working on my master’s degree and I loved being able to share my passion for maps with you all and our youth. Moving forward, I hope you’ll remember to invite youth into your leadership spaces and to continue to make room at your table for other people. Peace.
Bishop Brian Cole:
Along with you all, I give thanks for Caroline Wood’s time with us on diocesan staff. She has been a positive light in our work with youth and young adults in challenging, challenging times. She joined us at the very beginning of COVID and has worked hard to keep our youth and young adults connected. She’s done significant work with us in overhauling safe church requirements. I recently joined Caroline and Alvin Blount and McKenzie Teal with our Diocesan Youth in a Trail of Tears pilgrimage. I got to spend a week with Caroline and watch her lead and give care to our youth. She has been a positive, positive force for us. We’re going to miss her as she makes her way to Lexington, Kentucky. But we’re going to give thanks for the time that she has spent with us. But encourage you, if you’d like to express that in some way, if you want to make a contribution to Grace, Point Camp and Retreat Center in Caroline’s honor. That’s a way to bless a place that has been a blessing to Caroline, as she has been a blessing to Grace Point as well.
So at the end of this video, you’ll find a way in which you can do that to give thanks in that way. Keep Caroline in your prayers in this time of transition as she makes her way to Lexington, Kentucky. She’ll be with us through the end of July, but is already beginning that time of transition. So keep her in your prayers, continue to pray for our youth and young adults in this diocese as we continue to discern together a next steps in leadership in that place. Thank you.