From the Pastors Desk - November 26, 2023
“Not so long ago, seems like eternity”- Someday Out of the Blue by Elton John
Doesn’t it seem like Ed has been a part of our Good Shepherd family for forever?! In reality it’s really only been a little over seven years! When Ed was hired on April 1, 2016 (thank you Neil C for your amazing record keeping) he turned Good Shepherd’s music program around and immediately blended into our Good Shepherd family. Several years later, he took over the Office Manager position and made church life easier for so many of us.
Oddly enough, the seven years Ed has been with us have been seven of the most tumultuous years that Good Shepherd has seen in recent times (trust me-none of this is Ed’s fault!:) During those seven years we lost two pastors, Pastor Thompson and Pastor Schaffer, and we learned to survive through a global pandemic. Through all those messy days, Ed was there to help clean up. He took over creating the services leaving me with little to worry about except the sermon and Sunday school. It was Ed who brought out his electric piano so we could have music and services in the parking lot during COVID (man those services were a great idea with a bad memory- summer + heat + asphalt create TERRIBLY uncomfortable worship conditions!) When we returned to inside worship, Ed set everything up so we could worship safely. Then when we were lucky enough to gain Pastor Eli, Ed coordinated everything with him as well.
Oh, and we can’t forget the famous “Edisms”. Good Shepherd was filled with phrases like “It is what it is”, “oh lord, lord” and “just a teenance”. It didn’t take long for us to start saying those phrases too!
Ed, you have been an invaluable asset over these past seven plus years, and you will be greatly missed! However, despite the empty space your exit will leave, I can’t help being really excited for you. You will be in a warmer area that is growing in population and has growing churches. You will be very close to the Biltmore, which you can visit on a daily basis, and if it snows in North Carolina you will already know how to drive in it!!!
Ed, don’t be a stranger! Let us know how things are going. Keep in touch. Although Ashville is almost 500 miles away, modern technology can reunite us in seconds.
Thank you for your time spent with us here at Good Shepherd. We appreciate everything that you have done, and wish you the best in everything.
God speed, and God bless!
Faithfully,
Lei Fahrner
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