St. Andrews Lutheran Church presented this quilt to Pastor George Simmons as a gift to commemorate the 40th Anniversary of his Ordination. At the celebration on May 31, 2009 he said, "I am not retiring, I'm not finished yet!" The church family of St. Andrews wanted Pastor George and his wife Mary to know how much they love and appreciate them. They have been at St. Andrews for the last 15 years. If you would like to know more about Pastor George and Mary, click on "comments" below and read the comments I have received of how special they have been to St. Andrews Lutheran Church.
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These are comments I received regarding how much the St. Andrews Lutheran Church love their Pastor.
George was instrumental in our project of selecting and installing stained glass windows at St. Andrew. The two on the quilt are symbols of the following
Luther’s Rose is the rose with the cross in the middle. This is a symbol of Lutherans.
The Anchor is the symbol for St. Andrew. Our church was named for St. Andrew. These two windows are located on either side of the front door of the church.
The altar banked in lilies is the traditional setting at St. Andrew for our Easter Sunday Service.
The newly installed tongue and groove ceiling and sanctuary lights were obtained under George’s leadership at St. Andrew.
Comments from the church family of Pastor George and Mary
When he first came to Andrews, some of us were suspicious and curious about him.
Always dressed in black, long overcoat and hat! He was a jokester and was even known to say a few curse words on occasion! We all thought what kind of minister is this, but we have all grown to know and love him as a sincere minister.
Minister to all
Everyone in the community (Greatest Compliments)
• Leader What makes a great leader? Charismatic, Honest, Respectful, Good Listener, Be willing to do whatever job you ask someone else to do and most of all you have to Love What you do and care about those you do if for!
• Hospice Chaplain
• Ministerial Association
• Lion’s Club
• Chamber of Commerce
• United Way Board
• Food Pantry
• Appalachian High Games Committee
• Office of Economic Opportunity Board
• Home Delivered Meals
• N. C. Council of Churches
• Dept. of Social Services
• Smoky Mountain Pastors
• The first male member of St. Andrew ELCW
• Knows more people in this area than any of us
• Married more couples than any pastor we’ve ever had (Marries everybody)
• Delivered meals to a dead person
• Helps- Cleans, Mows, Hauls off boxes, Picks up garbage
Truly Called to be at St. Andrew
Many challenges
Births, Cancer, Tragic Accidents, Alzheimer’s Disease, Marriages, Baptisms Separations, Divorces, Controversies, Loss of Members and Gain of Members
George has been there with every one of us night and day to help us through our trials
Made many changes like weekly communion
Under his leadership
Built the fellowship hall, added stained glass windows, new lights, replaced the ceiling
So today we honor him and his dedication to his ministry!
George married Mary after his first year in the seminary. They have 2 daughters, Carole and Jenny. Jenny is married to Brian and they have one son, Carter. After many years of devotion to social work, Mary recently retired from Cherokee County DSS. Mary is the president of the Women of the Lutheran Church of America at St. Andrew. She also sings in the choir and plays two hand bell choirs, including the Alleluia Ringers and the Brasstown Ringers.
Pastor George (PG) and Mary loved the quilt! However, George did not retire. The quilt was a gift to commemorate the 40th Anniversary of his Ordination. In fact,in his remarks at the celebration PG declared "I am not retiring, I am not finished yet!" Thanks Lynn for making this beautiful gift.
Towanna Roberts, St. Andrew Lutheran Church Council President
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