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First Days on the New Job

August 10, 2015 by Rev. Dr. Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director

Jennifer is pictured on a spring break trip with students to Nome, Alaska.

Monday, August 3, was my first day at work. The staff laughed with me when hearing that announcement since I’ve been having “first” days since the first week of June. The most important first was spending invaluable time with George Reed, who ranks among the best predecessors I’ve ever succeeded. He continues to explain the minutia, clarify the confusion, and remember the details. But he has yet to tell me how to do the job when we both know he is the current expert on how to do the job. He remains available to answer questions, affording me ample opportunity to ask him how to do the job.

Other firsts have included meeting scores of Council allies, writing for our website, spending time with each staff person, appearing at judicatory annual sessions, speaking at the Voting Rights press conference in Winston-Salem, planning the upcoming Governing Board meeting in Salisbury, and painting a wall in my new office. Actually, I didn’t paint the office wall until AFTER my official first day. Even including the office move-in (and when is moving ever fun?), it has been a rich and full summer made better by the constellation of people who support and surround the North Carolina Council of Churches.

My appreciation for the staff at the Council deepens daily. I had been told of their quality character and work ethic, but even glowing reports don’t do them justice. They guide me toward the important, solicit input on the essential, and encourage each other toward excellence. Their high energy and enthusiasm create a climate rich with possibility.

As we head into late summer and early fall, I anticipate the hectic pace of the summer will relax into a routine, perhaps no less hectic, but decidedly more familiar. Administrative tasks will become more normal, advocacy and education opportunities will remain plentiful, and the days will continue to reward.

Thanks for trusting me with this important work.

Filed Under: Blog, Homepage Featured Tagged With: Council News

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About Rev. Dr. Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director

Jennifer is a native of South Carolina and an ordained minister in The United Methodist Church. She loves South Carolina, but has managed to spend all but ten years of her adult life in North Carolina. Those ten years were spent pastoring United Methodist churches across the Upstate. She attended Duke University several times and in the process earned a BA, double majoring in English and Religion, a Master of Divinity, a PhD in religion, and a Graduate Certificate in Women’s Studies. Prior to coming to the Council, she spent 16 years as the United Methodist Chaplain at Duke University, where she also taught undergraduate and divinity school classes, served on committees and task forces, and attended lots of basketball games. She writes frequently for various publications when time permits and preaches regularly in congregations across North Carolina. Jennifer has two adult children, Nathan, who is a software developer in Durham, and Hannah, who is a digital marketing analyst in Charlotte. Jennifer is the overjoyed grandparent of Benjamin and Theodore.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jean Rodenbough says

    August 10, 2015 at 5:39 pm

    Jennifer, I welcome you with great joy to the ministry of leading the NC Council of Churches. It is the finest church-related body in North Carolina, working for justice, faithfulness to the call of service. As a past President of the Council and the “updater” of the Council’s history, I know well how much energy is involved in serving in your position, guiding the Council to serve this state. I was on the committee who selected George Reed as Exec. Director, and am aware of how many capable servants of justice and equality we have available. I am confident that you will provide the leadership and guidance necessary for the days ahead. The past years have been focused on finding the best structure future service by the Council to our state, and I am confidant that you are the right person to discover new opportunities to serve and to grow. Welcome!

    Reply
  2. Rev. Jim Lewis says

    August 10, 2015 at 1:46 pm

    Congratulations on your appointment as the Executive Director of the NCCC. You look like exactly the right person to do the job. As the Director of Social Ministries for the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolinz from 1996-1994, I had lots of assignments with the Council and loved the work they did, and continue to do. Blessings on you and the great folks at the NC.

    Reply

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