Less than a year after Thurston Cooke and his family joined Shallowford, he accepted a position on the Pastor Nominating Committee, which was charged with calling Shallowford’s next Senior Pastor.
“Happy and excited to serve, I hoped to find a strong, visionary leader whose strengths would include inspired preaching and the ability to foster inclusive relationships for my family and everyone at our new home church,” said Thurston.
The search process thoughtfully considered senior pastor candidates over the course of 16 months and installed Anna George Traynham in October 2019. Six months later when the pandemic hit, Thurston observed her gifts of ministry and leadership on full display!
“Anna’s preaching helped me deal with the isolation and uncertainty as COVID spread throughout our community and across the nation,” noted Thurston. “I watched as she tapped the wisdom of the congregation, assembled an advisory committee, listened for different perspectives, invested in new technologies, created new ways to connect, and never lost her cool. She was remarkable!”
Thurston’s faith grew exponentially during those challenging pandemic years and he attributes much of that to the church leadership. “We survived the pandemic and Shallowford is thriving! I feel a powerful connection to this special church family, and I am enthusiastic about our future,” he added.
The multiple Cooke family connections run deep. Thurston and his wife Carla are involved in committees, mission projects, and social activities. Son Davis and and daughter Anne have enjoyed Chapel Choir and choir tours, Youth Group, and mission trip during their years in Shallowford’s Youth Ministry. Davis is now engaged to Lacey Shaffer, and the happy couple even sang together in Shallowford’s chapel choir! “We’ve all made life-long friends,” said Thurston.
Attending worship, he is touched each week by the common phrase we all know so well. ‘Know that you are so deeply loved by the God who creates you, the Christ who redeems you, and the Spirit who sustains you, today and every day.’ “It’s a gift that warms my heart and confirms my faith every time.”
