S*0846 Resolution, By Lourie
 A SENATE RESOLUTION TO CONGRATULATE DR. JAMES I. ST. JOHN OF COLUMBIA UPON
 BEING NAMED PASTOR EMERITUS OF FOREST LAKE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH AND TO COMMEND
 HIM FOR A LIFETIME OF DEDICATED AND FAITHFUL SERVICE AS A PASTOR TO THE
 CHURCHES HE HAS SERVED.

   05/12/05  Senate Introduced and adopted SJ-11

TO CONGRATULATE DR. JAMES I. ST. JOHN OF COLUMBIA UPON BEING NAMED PASTOR EMERITUS OF FOREST LAKE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH AND TO COMMEND HIM FOR A LIFETIME OF DEDICATED AND FAITHFUL SERVICE AS A PASTOR TO THE CHURCHES HE HAS SERVED.

Whereas, Dr. James Ivan St. John was born in Dayton, Ohio, and spent his childhood and adolescent years in Indiana, Kentucky, New Jersey, and Delaware. Following his father's corporate transfer to the South, Jim finished high school in Aiken where his parents continue to live in retirement; and

Whereas, Dr. St. John received his Doctor of Ministry from Columbia Theological Seminary in 1978. He holds a masters degree in English from the University of South Carolina and a bachelor's degree in English from Wofford College. Dr. St. John taught English for several years in the Columbia area, first at Dreher High School and then at Columbia College. He later taught for nine years as an assistant professor at Augusta College in Augusta, Georgia; and

Whereas, Jim served for three years as pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, Alexander City, Alabama, for eight years as pastor and head of staff at Westminster Presbyterian Church in suburban Atlanta, and for the past fifteen and one-half years until his retirement has been pastor and head of staff at Forest Lake Presbyterian Church in Columbia; and

Whereas, he has been active in Trinity Presbytery and has served on Presbytery's Council. He was recently moderator of Trinity Presbytery's Committee on Ministry for two years. Currently he serves as moderator of the search committee for a new General Presbyter for Trinity Presbytery, and he is a member of Trinity Presbytery's Permanent Judicial Commission; and

Whereas, preaching is the greater of his many gifts. He combines a strong theological background with intense Biblical study and reflection to preach the Word of the Lord with clarity, power, and conviction; and

Whereas, Dr. St. John has used his gifts not only in preaching, but also in teaching, administration, pastoral care, and communication. Perhaps his greatest gift is his caring nature and magnetic personality that causes him to share his excitement and his faith with all those with whom he has contact; and

Whereas, he was granted honorable retirement by Trinity Presbytery in December 2004; and

Whereas, he and his lovely wife, Ann, have one daughter, Melissa, who resides on the island of Nantucket, Massachusetts. Melissa and her husband, Gregory Raith, have three young children: Alexander, Benjamin, and Sylvie; and

Whereas, on Sunday, May 22, 2005, Dr. St. John will be officially recognized as Pastor Emeritus of Forest Lake Presbyterian Church. He was awarded this title by a vote of session and the congregation this past January. It is an expression of esteem for this wonderful pastor's faithful and dedicated service; and

Whereas, the members of the Senate, by this resolution, would like to publicly recognize and honor this gifted and talented minister on the occasion of his being named Pastor Emeritus at Forest Lake Presbyterian Church where he has served so faithfully. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate:

That the members of the Senate congratulate Dr. James I. St. John of Columbia upon being named Pastor Emeritus of Forest Lake Presbyterian Church and commend him for a lifetime of dedicated and faithful service as a pastor to the churches he has served.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to Pastor Emeritus Dr. James I. St. John.