Title
To honor and recognize Dr. Ervin Smith upon his retirement from Shepard St. Paul United Methodist Church.
Body
WHEREAS, Dr. Ervin Smith has served as the Pastor of the Shepard St. Paul United Methodist Church since 2005; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Smith earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics from Paine College in Augusta, Georgia, his Masters of Divinity from Drew University Theological School in Madison, New Jersey and his PhD from Garrett-Evangelical/Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois; and
WHEREAS, prior to assuming the leadership at the Shepard St. Paul United Methodist Church, Dr. Smith served with the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church in cities across the country including the Stewart Memorial Christian Methodist Episcopal Church in Columbus; and
WHEREAS, in 1978, Dr. Smith received full membership into the United Methodist Church and served as a Ministry Assistant at Centenary United Methodist Church in Columbus until 2005; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Smith is a member of many professional associations which include The Society of Christian Ethics, The Institute of Society, Ethics and the Life Sciences, The Ohio Commission on Interprofessional Education and Practice, The Ohio Humanities Council, We Believe Ohio and The Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance of Columbus; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Smith serves on the board of several organization including the Wesley Glen Retirement Center, Black Methodists for Church Renewal, We Believe Ohio, and the United Methodist Children's Home. He was on the nominating committee for the United Methodist Church: District Board of Ordained Ministry, Pastoral Care, Religion and Race and presently serves as Vice President of the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Smith has lectured and authored publications in his areas of specialization which include Christian Ethics and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Smith is married to Dr. Bernice D. Smith, who is the Supervisor of Early Childhood Education with Columbus Public Schools. They have a son, Brian Anthony Smith; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Smith will be retiring from the Shepard St. Paul United Methodist Church on May 29, 2010; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
That we do hereby honor and recognize Dr. Ervin Smith upon his retirement from the Shepard St. Paul united Methodist Church and thank him for his service to the Columbus community.