It’s funny how quickly time passes when you’re busy living life. My wife began working at Woodlawn Cumberland Presbyterian Church just over twenty seven years ago. This coming Thursday she will retire and turn in her keys.

When they were looking to fill the church secretary position in 1995 they wanted to hire someone outside their congregation. The thought was that the person they hired would know the behind the scenes business workings of the church and the members could focus on worshiping.

There was never a written job description given to her. The position was supposed to be part time, thirty five hours a week. If she worked over that she was comped with time off.

Over the years she racked up a lot of comp time. A lot of which she never recorded or took off. If she was needed she was there.

Many times her phone rang at all hours of the day and night. It turned out not to be a job, but a calling.

With an aging congregation she made a lot of calls and visits to check on her aging extended family members.

She handled building maintenance and upkeep issues that arose. She worked in the kitchen, cleaned and worked on the landscaping. She helped decorate for Christmas and other special events.

She knew all the heating and air contractors and they relied on her to help troubleshoot problems. Especially when it came to the old boiler.

The health department inspector always knew the church’s kitchen would be in order whenever he popped in unannounced.

She was as frugal with the church’s finances as she was at home. Every expense was weighed, measured and justified before she let go of a dime. Even thermostats were monitored so as to not waste energy. Through good times and lean times it was the same. It was God’s money.

She knew seven of the church’s pastors and worked with six, not counting a couple interim pastors. She helped people plan funerals and special events. Food? There was always food or flowers.

There probably isn’t a nursing home in the area she hasn’t visited. As I mentioned previously the congregation has grown older with her and they had become family.

I have seen her shed many tears for members during illnesses and deaths. Albeit she rarely went to visitations at funeral homes because she couldn’t bear to see people hurting or another friend gone.

One of her elderly friends was always a joy to be around. We were visiting with her once and she was mentioning that she was having trouble with her car. Then she blurted out, “Well, anything with tires or testicles is going to give you trouble.” Then she looked over at me, winked and laughed.

Through the happy and sad times she was there. Woodlawn has seen many changes in the nearly three decades she has been there. However there is one thing that has not changed. Her typing skills.

She may be the only secretary since typewriters and keyboards were invented that never mastered the art of typing.

Hunt and peck, one finger- maybe two. But she persevered. Most of the personnel committee was none the wiser because she always got the job done. Always. No one can say she was not persistent.

Thank goodness they never presented her with a job description in the beginning. Typing may have been a requirement.

… And now it’s over.

Tina officially retires this week. Officially. Unofficially she will find it difficult to let go of some of her duties, calling and checking on members.

She is departing with church in good hands. Woodlawn has a dedicated youth minister, music director, and a new pastor.

I, for one, will be cheering her on as she steps away and into the next adventure of her life. Growing old together with me.

Congratulations Tina. Your retirement is well deserved. May you live long and prosper.

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Rick Algood
May 24, 2022