December 31, 2021 will mark the end of an era at St. Matthew. As of January 01, 2022 our beloved Administrative Assistant / Bookkeeper, Kim Bohley, will be retired. For many years she has seamlessly navigated the administrative waters of SMLC, serving under multiple full-time pastors and interim pastors. When I came aboard on Council almost four years ago, I was concerned that I wouldn’t have enough spare time (job and family) to devote to effectively serve the church. I was told not to worry about it, that it wouldn’t be a “heavy lift.” Three weeks later Ingrid re-signed and the church went right into “Call Process Mode.” As a new Council member I had a lot of questions. Kim was always there to answer those questions and guide me towards getting my responsibilities accomplished.
During the next three years the Church continued on with two interim pastors, the call process and a world-wide pandemic. Then Pastor Eric arrived and a new era at SMLC was embarked upon. Yet through it all, Kim was one of the rocks that kept the church operating on a daily basis. Kim was a “Constant.” Her day-to-day responsibilities are too numerous to list. Suffice it to say that SMLC would have failed to function as efficiently as it did without Kim in the office.
While you will be missed by everyone here at SMLC, you certainly deserve your retirement. Your expertise, hard work and diligence have greatly benefited the church. My bet is that we will all come to appreciate you even more when we try to fill the void that you will leave. So, on behalf of the SMLC Congregation and Council, I wish to say thank you and extend to you our congratulations on your retirement. Your hard work and efforts have brought you to a point where you will be able to get some well deserved R&R and begin the next chapter in your life with your family.
May God bless you and your family and all that awaits you down the road.
Best Wishes,
Tom Campbell
Dear Saint Matthew Congregation,
Thank you for letting me serve as your “church secretary.” I leave with many happy memories of conversations with congregation members that extended beyond the scope of a job description. I wish your next secretary, Mary Van Osten, the same great fortune. The words to this song, “Pass It On,” says it best:
It only takes a spark to get a fire going, and soon all those around can warm up to its glowing. That’s how it is with God’s love, once you’ve experienced it; You spread his love to everyone; you want to pass it on.
Words & Music: Kurt Kaiser, 1969@Communique Music, p. 572 UMC Hymnal 1989
Christmas Blessings,
Kim Bohley