Liaison Switch, Hillman to Ray

Submitted by Mississippi Conference Treasurer      
   
Photo right: Byrd and Sara Hillman Photo credit: Mississippi Conference Communications.
Photo below right: Katherine and Rev. Andy Ray during the 2012 annual conference session. Ray is the former Senatobia District Superintendent. Photo courtesy Senatobia District Facebook page.
   
The Board of Pension and the Board of Medical Benefits met and announced changes coming to the Retiree Benefits Liaison office. Byrd and Sara Hillman have faithfully served in that position since 2001 where they have shepherded hundreds and thousands of clergy and families over retirement, disability, and death of loved ones. 

As in all seasons, there is a time of change. Byrd Hillman will continue to serve the Board of Pension and the Board of Medical Benefits as the Retiree Liaison Emeritus. His responsibility in that position will be to resource the Boards.
 
The day to day work of the Liaison Office will be led by Reverend Andy Ray of Belden. Andy brings great gifts to the office. His understanding of the clergy benefits and the journey of clergy throughout their ministry will be very beneficial as he becomes the liaison for the clergy, retiree families, and the Conference Boards. His service as District Superintendent has prepared him well to lead in this office.

Andy will begin a training period with Byrd on November 1 and will continue working with Byrd through June 30, 2017. At that time Byrd will graduate to Emeritus and Andy will assume the reins of the Liaison work.

David Stotts, Conference Treasurer and Benefits Officer stated "I am very excited to be moving into these new relationships. We will have the best of both worlds. Effective July 1, 2017, Byrd and Sara will begin working with the boards sharing the history that is so important to the board work.   Andy and his wife Katherine will be resourcing the clergy and the boards in ways that they need guidance. Over this transition period, please feel free to contact either one of them. I give thanks to God for the wonderful ministry that I have been in with Byrd and Sara. I know that Andy and Katherine will assume the reins and take us to the next level of service to our retirees. To God belongs all the glory for these wonderfully talented and dedicated clergy couples."