Associate Minister
Ronald H. Parrish
It is a great blessing and source of humble satisfaction to serve as one of your Associate Pastors. Christian
Education and Pastoral Care are my particular areas of ministry. I oversee the program of Christian
Education and work closely with the Christian Education Committee. In the area of Pastoral Care, I work
with the Congregational Growth and Care Committee and seek to provide pastoral care to members by
means of calls, visitation and especially the hospitalized and shut-ins. I want to thank the chairmen of
these committees, John Garnett and Greg Brunson, and the committee members for their support and
encouragement.
As a Teaching Elder, I am thankful for the opportunities that I had to teach, preach and assist in worship.
I taught this past year throughout the Sunday School, Wednesday noon and the Garmer weekly Bible
Study.
It is a joyful privilege to serve with my colleagues Terry Johnson, Tim Foster, Frankie Daniell, Jane
Boatright, Amy Martin, Tim Shaw, Josh Espinosa, Kathryn Van Eck, Paul Rodgers and Evan Gear. I
value and respect each one for their gifts and the way our differing gifts are blended to work as an
effective team.
I am privileged to labor along with faithful and supportive Elders and Deacons. A special thanks of
appreciation goes to Dennis Boatright, Clerk of Session, and Wallace Milling, Chairman of the Diaconate,
for their faithful leadership and service.
As a Presbyter, I participated in the work of Savannah River Presbytery and served as a member of the
Reformed University Ministry Committee. On November 5, 2018 I will mark 40 years as an ordained
minister in the Presbyterian Church in America. Little did I know then that I would spend over half of my
ministry serving on the staff of this great congregation.
I am very thankful to God for giving me a very supportive wife in Donna and four children who are now
engaged in the pursuit of careers. Matthew is the Director of Advancement for Sigma Phi Epsilon
Fraternity in Richmond, VA. On April 29, we celebrated the marriage of our daughter, Leighann, to Dr.
Victor W. Rosenfeld. Victor is a Neurologist practicing with South Coast Medical and he and Leighann
are making their home on Wilmington Island. Andrew is the Director of Communications for Sigma Phi
Epsilon and lives with wife, Claire, in Richmond, VA. David was employed with Savannah Neurology
Specialists for the first half of the year and is now pursuing other career opportunities. This year Donna
completed 22 years at Candler Hospital as a mother/baby nurse. We look forward to her retirement in
early 2018.
In June Donna completed an aggressive regimen of chemotherapy for breast cancer that was diagnosed in
September of 2016. The first half of 2017 was been very difficult for Donna, but the prayers and support
of the congregation were a great source of strength and encouragement. Scans as of December 2017 did
not show any sign of cancer, for which we give praise to God. We are very thankful for the many acts of
love and support from the members of the congregation. It means more than I could ever express. Thank
you for allowing us to serve this wonderful congregation.
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