Through the Worth County ministry, the pulpit has seen various leaders come and go. In July 2009, the Charge combined with Nodaway County churches Ravenwood, Pickering, and Hopkins to become the Nodaway-Worth Parish.
For the last three years, Pastor Sue Noakes and lay leaders Travis Dimmitt and Tim Wall have served the Charge well. We have been blessed by the “Trio” serving six churches. Time seems to have flown by! It is a bittersweet change. Pastor Sue’s health has declined and she is taking early retirement.
After serving the pulpit in Pickering and Hopkins 18 years and Ravenwood 13 years, Pastor Sue will be passing the torch to Pastor Janis Tobias. We will continue to be the “Trio,” but with a different leader. Blessed that Travis and Tim will be staying with us and alternate the schedule.
Pastor Janis Tobias was born in Detroit, MI. She was a nurse before God called her to Saint Paul School of Theology in Kansas City. She graduated May 11, 2012. She has been serving Buckner United Methodist Church while attending school. She will be moving into the Ravenwood Parsonage June 28th. July 1st at Mozingo Lake will be her introduction to all six parishes.
While Pastor Sue had an advantage of knowing a lot of families in the community over the years, Pastor Janis will be new to the area. May we welcome her and perhaps wear name tags until she gets familiar with us.
Bringing a new UMC leader to us every three years or so isn’t something new to Worth County parishes. But it is different this time! We cannot overlook the years that Pastor Sue has dedicated to the community in nursing and at the pulpit. She will be missed at the pulpit and meetings, but perhaps one may be blessed to see her on a local level. May we take time to thank her for her work and show our appreciation for the dedication to serving a mighty God! The Sheridan Express says, “Thanks, Pastor Sue; may God bless you in retirement!”
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