Meet the Moderatorby Houston Hodges Here's a woman who says that being moderator of the Synod is "no big deal." That's not because she is unaware of the honor of the position, nor because she downplays what might be done in it. It's because Mamie Jones has been asked to do nearly everything in the Presbyterian church, has said "Yes" to most, and believes, quite simply, "If it's a real call, how can I say No?" Mamie and her husband Dick are stalwarts in the First Presbyterian Church of Huntsville; Dick, retired military, sings in the choir -- Mamie has taught, been on session, played the piano, worked in Presbyterian Women, and cooked for innumerable events to further the Realm of God. "My favorite job," she says, "is playing the piano for the three and four year olds. I don't have to practice, I don't have to pick the songs, I can play by ear, and afterward they come up and give me a great big hug." The new synod moderator appreciates what there is to do at the synod level, despite recent moves to reduce synod's roles. "I like the new style," Mamie says. "No program as such; projects come up from the presbyteries, and the synod coordinates, encourages, and supports." She says, "I thought synod would be dissolved, but it hasn't been, so we need to work with what it is." Mamie has been on the Synod Transition Team for the past two years, so she has had an active role in the changing patterns. She likes the efforts in congregational redevelopment taking place. She knows of small and struggling congregations, from her work for North Alabama Presbytery, on its Committee on Ministry and as chair of its Personnel Committee during some parlous times. "I like the people I work with," she says, "and it's not the same thing you hear about at the congregational level, what to fix for the dinner and how to decorate something." Like many another Presbyterian from our synod, Mamie was raised in a different church setting. "I was baptized in Limestone Creek," she says, "at age twelve." After she and Dick were married, they looked around for a church -- and found Huntsville's First Presbyterian, and pastor Harry Wade. "That's my kind of preaching," Dick said, "No shouting." That was in 1958, and Dick and Mamie have been working Presbyterians ever since. Mamie's face lights up as she speaks of their two daughters, both nearby -- Marsha (Mrs. Paul Buxton), with two daughters of her own -- and Julie (Mrs. Bill Adams), as near as Madison. Why is she Presbyterian? "The government and the doctrine," she says, "close to the center." Recent troubles in the Presbyterian Church? "They're not going to run me off," says Mamie, stoutly. And as to her preparation for being moderator, she quotes her favorite scripture verse: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me," and adds, "God has carried me through." Synod Presbyterians can hope that Mamie Jones gets carried a good deal farther in her walk of love and service.
Mamie Jones
|
