Greetings from the Moderator JANUARY 2025
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Grace to you and peace, and Happy New Year! I wanted to take this opportunity to introduce myself, as there are many of you that I have yet to meet in person.
Prior to my start in ministry, I earned a bachelor’s degree in music education and worked for five years as a band director (elementary through high school) in Spartanburg, South Carolina. For the past 20 years, I have been a member at Presbyterian Church of the Lakes, in Orlando (PCOL). When I first came to PCOL, I served as the Children’s Choir, Youth Choir, and Handbell Director. Since those early days, I had felt God nudging me to do more. I began overseeing more of the music ministries and was called to serve as a Ruling Elder. In 2021, I began taking classes at Dubuque, and in 2022, I was commissioned by the Central Florida Presbytery to serve as a Commissioned Pastor at PCOL, where I am now the Director of Ministries. It has been a true joy to get to preach and work alongside Rev. Ferdi Brits, while continuing to do children’s ministry. In my personal life, my husband, Scott, and I have been married since 1997, and we have four children, ages 16-22. Our oldest son recently graduated from UCF, got married to a delightful woman, and is now serving in the US Air Force. To say I’m a proud momma is an understatement! Our other son is a phenomenal musician and is figuring out what God wants him to do. As a young child, he was always bringing friends, and even a teacher, to church with him. Our two daughters were born in China and became part of our family in 2008 and 2010. Both of them have Spina Bifida, so our eyes have been opened to the disability community and struggles with insurance and finding adequate medical care. Our oldest daughter is attending college and plans to pursue a career in Psychiatry or Neuropsychology. Our youngest daughter just started driving and is a percussionist at her high school. All four of our children went through confirmation classes at PCOL, and all have been involved in ministry there. Why did I share all of that? You see, I’m not just a person standing up there moderating a meeting… just like you are not just a person attending a meeting. We all have lives outside of ministry, but our “outside” lives still reflect the work that God has done in and through us. We are all here to serve a purpose… to glorify God in all we do. We are here to share God’s love with one another. We are here to be in community with one another so that we can further Christ’s mission. As part of my year as Moderator, I would like to get to know you! I want to know about your ministry and about your personal interests outside of ministry. What is it that God is calling you to do in this moment? I want to listen to your concerns and pray for you. I want to connect with you so we can all work together to glorify God. So don’t be surprised if I come and visit your church! As a matter of fact, invite me so I can see the awesome things you are doing. Send me an email and tell me what keeps you up at night and what gets you going in the morning (just contact the CF Presbytery… they know my email). Let’s connect so we can truly become partners in ministry! May God bless you abundantly in this New Year!! Nicole
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Commissioned Ruling Elder Nicole Gower
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