SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT FROM PENNY FOLSOM
My dear First Baptist family,
It is with a tangled web of both joy and sadness that I announce to you my plans for retirement at the end of September. My last Sunday at First Baptist will be September 27. Serving you has positively been one of the greatest joys of my life – and one of the longest lasting! This August will mark 33 years for me on this First Baptist staff. You took me when I was a “baby” in ministry and with patience, encouragement, prayer, and love, allowed God to grow and develop the talents and gifts that He had given me. As I grew, you graciously allowed my ministry leadership and job description to grow as well. My heart is full of gratitude to you and to our God.
I have always prayed that I would not stay one day more or less than God wanted me here, and I am thankful that He has gently guided me in this decision. As many of you know, Byron has been retired for 2.5 years already. 2020 and the abrupt and astonishing changes it brought to our lives caused most of us to pause and re-evaluate. For me and Byron, there was a firm resolution to reorder our lives so that we might have more time with our family. To that end, we have purchased a home in Indiana – about halfway between our kids – and will be moving there this fall. It is on a small lake, and we anticipate some fun days of fishing, boating, and kayaking with our kids.
Pastor Gary has graciously invited me to participate in the search process for my replacement. We are both committed to a smooth transition, and I am excited about the prospects for the future. The music ministry has always been an integral and much beloved ministry at First Baptist, and that will not change.
This is not goodbye just yet! I will be serving for three more months, and I look forward to finishing well.
I close with Phil. 1:3-5: I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, 4 always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all, 5 in view of your participation in the gospel from the first day until now.
Thank you for your love and support.
Soli Deo Gloria,
Penny
