General Secretary receives minute of appreciation

In a standing ovation members of the 28th Synod received a minute of appreciation for General Secretary Rev Douglas Jones as he attended his final Synod meeting before his retirement.

After being voted in as General Secretary at a Special Synod in 2008 he stepped deep into a Synod in the midst of a significant financial crisis.

“This was unexpected but pleasantly embarrassing,” he said of the minute of appreciation.

“I believe that God called me to this position.

“It has been a strange mix of emotions,” he said.

Mr Jones said the role had been exhilarating, distressing and everything in between.

Both the Moderator and General Secretary thanked Mr Jones’ wife Vivienne for her constant support and patience.

Mr Jones referred to the position like being in a tumble dryer of emotions and said he would be praying for his successor whoever that may be.

Photo : Moderator Rev Bruce Johnson with General Secretary Rev Douglas Jones and Vivienne Jones. Photo by Osker Lau