St. Mark’s honors retiring pastor

The congregation of St. Mark’s UMC, Austin, “roasted” the Rev. Georgia Stone at a retirement celebration May 28.
Stone’s brother Woody Gossom served as master of ceremonies.
Many of Stone’s sermons included stories about her children, her siblings and her late husband, Jim. She never really told stories about herself. Stone’s sons, daughters, their spouses, children and Gossom told tales about Stone that her congregation did not know. There was much laughter but also a touch of sadness as church members realized they would be losing their pastor.
After the farewell dinner prepared by Archie and Edith Scott and including a variety of food brought in by members of the congregation, greetings were read from the Rev. Robert Hall, district superintendent, who could not attend.
Next came the presentation of a corsage, a guest book and a basket of cards from all the members of the church.
Stone is planning to do some traveling, so a travel voucher was given to “start the ball rolling.”
Stone came to the church in 2000.