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The Reverend Virginia Simmons Ellis
The Rev. Ginny Ellis joined us in worship on Sunday, Feb 17 as Interim Associate Pastor of Christian Education and Fellowship.
In “Pastor Giny’s” role as an interim pastor she will work with the session, pastors, staff and the congregation to help us shape and implement a new staff design the session approved in December which was shared at our recent congregational meeting in January. (Ginny has served as a pastor at churches in the Presbytery of Tampa Bay for more than 20 years). Ginny is a skilled interim pastor and brings gifts of leadership and spiritual development to Northwood. God has moved in creative and unexpected ways (as He always does!) to clear the path for Ginny to join us at Northwood. We are blessed and privileged to have her serve with us in this body of Christ!
About Ginny: Ginny has served as an interim at various churches in the Presbytery of Tampa Bay, including Tims Memorial, Palma Ceia, First Presbyterian Church of Port Richey, Village Church in Tampa, and, most recently, Bloomingdale Presbyterian. She served for 19 years as pastor of Bayshore Presbyterian in Tampa. Ginny is married to Harry Ellis, a physics professor at Eckerd College. They have three children, Luke, Rachel and Seth, and a grandchild, Noah.
What will she do at Northwood? Ginny doesn’t replace the pastoral slot left by the departure of Pastor R.J. Nor does she fill the Christian educator role left when Sue Moore retired. Northwood has created a staff structure to help the church continue to grow and move forward.
As interim associate pastor in this new position, Ginny will serve as a “consultant” helping us in oversight of the children’s, youth and young adult ministries and all education at Northwood. She will not be the hands-on director of these specific ministries but help us as the “executive director” who will work with the program leaders in these areas. She will also help us resource the many fellowship/small groups that are an important part of our congregation’s life together.
In addition, she will be able to help us in our search for staff to lead the children’s, youth and young adult ministries because of her rich roots in this Presbytery and in the Presbyterian process. She can help us spread the word about the openings we have for program directors.
What is the new staff model?
Northwood continues to have a senior pastor, Chris Curvin, and two associate pastors in our staff design.
One associate at present for Congregational Care and Mission, in which Bob Davenport is serving as interim. A search committee, elected by the congregation, has started its work to seek the next associate to serve in this role.
The second interim associate is occupied by Ginny Ellis. Until a permanent Associate is called she will provide administrative and spiritual leadership for the children’s, youth, young adult and adult ministries at Northwood. Ginny will work with two program directors for Children’s Ministries and for Youth and Young Adult Ministries. She is serving as an interim associate and will help us in our search for the two program staff and shape this new staff model.
What’s the difference between Congregational Care and Church Life/Fellowship?
The Associate Pastor for Congregational Care and Mission (Bob Davenport’s role as interim) will focus on pastoral care for the congregation and work with the Deacons, Stephen Ministers and the Mission and Outreach Ministry Team.
The Associate Pastor for Christian Education and Congregational Life (Ginny Ellis’ role as interim) will focus on the spiritual development of the congregation, working with program staff to strengthen the Children’s and Youth and Young Adult ministries and our Schools Ministry. Over time she will and the new hoped for Associate will oversee many of the programs related to our church fellowship, small groups on our church campus.
What are the next steps?
We are tackling several searches at the same time for two specific ministries once “Ginny” is with us.
- Directors of Children’s Ministries and Youth and Young Adult Ministries. The HR committee is working with the Christian Education and Youth and Young Adult Ministry teams to refine the job descriptions for these two positions, and will start seeking applicants soon. In fact, some resumes have already come our way and are in the pipeline. If you have questions, or know of a candidate for either position, please contact Jimmie Youngblood, the chair of the HR committee.
- Installed Associate Pastor for Christian Education and Congregational Life. The Nominating Committee is now seeking names of those willing to serve on the search committee for this associate. For more information, please contact Ellen Stoup, chair of the Nominating Committee.
What about Betty?
Betty Walters, our part-time interim director of Christian Education, will continue to serve at Northwood until a new director is called by the Session. Betty is well beyond her initial commitment to us of three months and we are grateful to her for her extended service with us. In time while we will say goodbye to her we are grateful to being with us during this transition.
What about Bob?
Bob Davenport, the interim associate for congregational care and mission, will continue to serve at Northwood until the search committee currently at work completes its search and nominates an Associate Pastor to this position. We anticipate it being with us 18 months or more as we implement our new staff design and the complete the search for someone in this important role with us.
Have more questions?
Contact Vicki Krueger, current Chair of the Human Resources Committee. Watch our publications and website for updates. Our pastors are also available if you wish to talk with them as well. (If you are currently not receiving the weekly email news through the Monitor contact Lois Parry at LoisP@northwoodpc.org
A complete biography of the new Interim Associate, Ginny Ellis, is posted on the bulletin boards in the Narthex.
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