It is our grief-filled responsibility this morning to inform those who may not have heard about a passing in the Seventh Day Baptist family.  Stephanie Sholtz, the vice president of our Women’s Board, was killed in a tragic single car accident over the weekend as she traveled to worship in Dodge Center, MN from her home in Rochester.  She was 42.

 

Stephanie grew up a part of the Verona, NY SDB church, and also participated at various points in our congregations in Shiloh, NJ, Milton, WI, Paint Rock, AL, and her final earthly congregation in Dodge Center, MN.  Besides her involvement in her local churches throughout her life, Steph was active in the life of our General Conference in many Conference ministries, including the Summer Christian Service Corps (SCSC) as a student, a project director, and as a staff member.  She also served on our Tract and Communication Council, and on our Conference’s Nominations Committee. In addition, she frequently served as a staff member in youth and young adult camping programs.  Beyond this participation, Steph devoted her life to helping others, both professionally and personally, as a devoted friend and counselor.  Steph’s deep skill in listening with discernment, wisdom, love and humor was relied on by many in our Conference.  She will be profoundly missed among Seventh Day Baptists, and many other places besides.

 

Services to celebrate her life are scheduled to be held in the Dodge Center, MN church this coming Sunday, February 5th, at 2:30pm.  Please be in prayer for her family and many friends as we grieve this temporary separation.