VALLEY FORGE, PA (ABNS 02/28/08) - Rev. Beverlee Everett, a mainstay at the American Baptist Mission Center in Valley Forge, Pa. for over 30 years, retired today surrounded by family, friends and coworkers past and present.
American Baptist Churches USA (ABCUSA) President, Rev. Mary Armacost Hulst spoke at the retirement gathering and said, "ABCUSA has been abundantly blessed by the presence and service of Beverlee Everett. She has enriched and graced us with love, faithfulness, energy, joy, a willing spirit and a knowledge of the workings of our denomination that is truly remarkable. To say she will be missed is an understatement. I wish her God's best in retirement."
Everett began her service in 1977 as Secretary for Christian Higher Education and the Financial Aid Manager for Ministries and Public Education within the Board of Educational Ministries. She transitioned to the Office of the General Secretary (OGS) in 1991 and, most recently, served as the General Board Administrator and Assistant Biennial Program Coordinator. Her duties included staffing the ABC Nominating Committee, coordinating the orientation of new General Board Members, serving as primary staff for the Orientation to American Baptist Life Conference and coordinating the Mission Center Worship Program.
"With your retirement, there will be a huge hole in our corporate memory!" said Rev. A. Roy Medley, ABCUSA general secretary. "We will miss all the things you do, but most of all we are going to miss you, your smile and your infectious enthusiasm for everything ABC."
"It's been an enriching and a challenging journey," said Everett. "I've been really glad to be here and be part of the whole ministry of ABCUSA. That includes not just the ministry itself, but the myriad of people that make it happen across the denomination."
Everett earned her B.A. from Barnard College within Columbia University and her M.Div. from Eastern Seminary, now Palmer Seminary. She was ordained in 2001.
Everett plans to "just breathe for a little" and then explore interim ministry, but is willing to see "what else God has in mind."
Andrew C. Jayne American Baptist Churches USA Mission Resource Development http://www.abc-usa.org/