Major leadership changes will be taking place in early 2024 at Neighborhood Cooperative Ministries in Norcross, according to Chairman Les Harper of Berkeley Lake. Ryan Jones will become executive director, providing leadership of strategic planning, finance, fundraising, marketing, and operations. After 30 years as director, Shirley Cabe will move to director of client operations, using her exceptional gifts and talents serving those in need.
Jones
Jones joined NCM three years ago as director of community relations. NCM under Jones’ leadership, just held its most successful fundraising event to-date, bringing in over $519,000 to continue the mission of making a difference in our neighborhood, one family at a time.
Jones says: “We have an awesome team at NCM that works tirelessly to serve our clients. The staff, volunteers, board of directors and community commitment energize me every day. We have abundant opportunities to share the love of Christ with our southwest Gwinnett community, as we help our neighbors in crisis. Like Shirley, who has taught me so much, I am also excited about my new role and what lies ahead for NCM and the community we serve.”
NCM’s Board of Directors supported Cabe’s request and developed a new role specifically for her. She will lead a new initiative to expand, as refrigerated products will be added to client food offerings. Clients will now have access to healthier food options such as protein, produce, reclaimed food, etc. Cabe says: “This new initiative is huge for our clients to break the cycle of poverty.”
Neighborhood Cooperative Ministries (NCM) is a faith-based, non-profit, ecumenical ministry dedicated to providing emergency assistance. NCM is supported by local churches, businesses, civic and social organizations, foundations, and individuals. Read more about new initiatives, volunteer opportunities, and ways to give & serve at NCM by visiting the website at www.ourncm.org.
Duluth Rotary Club to present local talent show
The Rotary Club of Duluth is producing The Stars of Gwinnett Talent Show, a fundraiser to shed light on human trafficking and support charities that combat such crimes and restore the lives of victims. Open to the public, the family-friendly evening will take place on February 8, 2024, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Gas South Theatre in Duluth.
Showcasing a variety of vetted musicians, dancers and comedians, the program includes a “who’s who” of Gwinnett and beyond. While most are better known for their day jobs in which they are devoted to serving their communities, all are high-caliber performers.
Cole Porter, the club’s president and talent show chair, says:“We will come together and use our time and energy to bring this production to our community. Our goal is to not only create entertainment for the community but also to use this opportunity to truly make an impact on the fight against human trafficking through fundraising and awareness. As Rotarians, we have a motto of ‘Service above Self.’ We hope the community will rally around this event in that spirit.”
- Tickets, priced at $35, $50, and $75 are now available online via Ticketmaster.
New rector arrives at Norcross Episcopal Church
Otero
Christ Church Episcopal in Norcross, has a new rector. He is the Rev. Edgar Otero, who began leading the parish as of January 3, 2024. He previously was Priest-In-Charge of St. Anthony’s Episcopal Church in Winder. He succeeds the Rev. Ceci Duke, who was rector for 13 years and who recently retired to the North Carolina mountains near Young Harris, Ga.
The new rector was born in Puerto Rico and relocated to the mainland 23 years ago. He is married to Marycelis and has two children, Eliam Manuel, 17 and Edgar Ezekiel, 14.
Father Edgar has a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from the Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico. He also attended Mount St. Mary’s University and Seminary in Emmitsburg, Md., and St. Vincent College and Seminary in Latrobe, Penn,, where he studied at a master’s level in Roman Catholic theology. He graduated with honors from the Candler School of Theology at Emory University in Atlanta , acquiring a master’s in divinity with a certificate in Anglican/Episcopal Studies.
He previously was a member of the Vestry of St. Gabriel’s Episcopal Church, his home parish. He was a seminarian at Grace Episcopal Church in Gainesville for four years, as a teacher and chaplain at St. Benedict’s Episcopal School in Smyrna.
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