“Thank you Sue, God blessed you to be a blessing to others and you sure have been a rich blessing to the congregation — and to all of us here. For all you’ve done for our youth, we truly are grateful. Thank you. ”
Pastor Scott Peterson to Sue Doubleday,
Jan 22, 2017
Members of Messiah Lutheran Church gathered after the 11:00 a.m. service of worship to recognize and thank member Sue Doubleday for her years of devotion to Messiah Lutheran Church’s senior youth. Sue served as Messiah’s Senior Youth Director since August of 2015, and has on a number of occasions served as the youth leader through the twenty-four years the Doubleday family has called Messiah their church home.
As the reception got underway, Pastor Scott took a few moments to speak of Sue’s contributions. He recalled the day Sue, husband Mike, and children, Adam and Kari, joined Messiah saying, “Of course I was happy, but I never had any idea how things would unfold, nor the blessings this family would bring to this congregation over the past 24 years!” Pastor Scott shared the joy he experienced when baptizing Sue and Mike’s three grandsons, Odin, Greyson, and Colin, adding, “When God’s blessings get handed down from generation to generation like we have seen in this family, that’s definitely a cause for celebration and rejoicing.”
Pastor Scott credited Sue’s humility, her ability to heal and stabilize the youth program, her excellent and unprecedented work in leading and guiding the senior youth (and chaperones) on the 2016 trip to Germany, and for leaving the senior youth group “stronger and more mature than ever.”
Following Peterson’s remarks, Council Youth Representative Anna Flowers presented Sue with a photo montage of Messiah Lutheran Church inscribed with words of thanks and a card signed by senior youth and members wishing Sue well in her retirement. The reception was planned by Flowers with the help of senior youth parents and the Fellowship Committee.
Thankfully, Sue Doubleday isn’t going far, nor is her family, Since a new Senior Youth Director has not yet been announced, Sue continues to assist through the transition with her daughter Kari Pitchko.