Snellgrove Roast Is Fun Part of Synod Meeting

by Bill Williams

When the Rev. David Snellgrove told his grandson that he was going to be “roasted” at the Synod meeting in Huntsville, the boy looked at him wide-eyed.

“How do they do that?” he demanded.

Terry Newland tells a funny story about David.

In this case, the temperature was warm, not hot. Hilarity prevailed through stories and gag gifts after a dinner in the fellowship hall of Fellowship Presbyterian Church.

There were serious gifts as well: a bound copy of all of the
issues of Presbyterian Voice during the years he was executive,
and a bouquet of flowers for his wife, Marty.

The event marked Snellgrove’s retirement after five years as Synod executive, and the Synod didn’t want the occasion to pass without some fun.

Flowers for Marty: A reward for “putting up with David.”

“David and I together are older than God,” said the master of ceremonies and long-time friend, the Rev. Emett Barfield, executive of Mississippi Presbytery.

A toy car came from the Executive Forum

Gag gifts came in rapid-fire order from the Rev. Samford Turner, executive of South Alabama Presbytery; the Rev. Greg Goodwiller, executive of St. Andrew Presbytery; the Rev. Terry Newland, Snellgrove’s successor as Synod executive; and Carolyn Jordan, past Synod moderator of Presbyterian Women.

Rocks came from the Scottish Isle of Iona

The hijinks peaked when Turner recited the words of “David’s Song,” to the tune of “My Way” “He faced it all and he stood tall, and did it HIS way.”

“It’s been a good place to work most of the time,” Snellgrove quipped.

“The Presbyterian Church talks a lot about partnership, but most of the church doesn’t know how to do it. We do. One of the greatest joys of my life has been getting to know people.”