Bay Ridge Center News & Views

from
Dr. Russell Norris
Former Executive Director of the Bay Ridge Center

"Hail and Farewell"

Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz likes to tell how he started his career (in social work) as director of a senior center, and now he is a senior himself and a member of the same center he used to direct! Funny how things work out.

I used to like to joke that I was one of the few senior program executives in the city who was also a senior. But, as they say, the chickens have come home to roost. As I prepare to step down as Executive Director at the end of June, I am beginning to find out what it means to officially retire. It certainly give one a new perspective on services for older adults (of which I am one!)

Many of you know that my wife, Dixie, has been working in Massachusetts for the last seven months, as Vice President for Administration and Finance at Cape Cod Community College. We made a serious effort to see if we could both continue our careers while maintaining a "long distance" marriage. It has been far more stressful than we expected. As a result, I have decided to leave Brooklyn (which I truly love) and move to Cape Cod, where I will retire ? maybe!

Some of us are not very good at sitting on the beach and watching the gulls. I suspect that whatever the future holds in store, I will continue to be active in some form of church service, though probably not full time. I have already informed Bishop Steve Bouman of the Metro New York Synod, and Bishop Margaret Payne of the New England Synod, that I plan to move to West Hyannisport, and will be available if needed.

At the same time, I plan to indulge my passion for model railroading and wooden boat building. Several years ago I built my own 16 foot wooden canoe, and was bitten by the wooden boat "bug". I plan to start work on a small sailboat once we get settled. It seems like I will finally have a place to sail it!

The Bay Ridge Center is celebrating 30 years of service to our community. I am working with the Church Council and the Oversight Commission to make sure that our programs will continue unabated during the transition to new leadership. No one person is indispensable. The Commission is looking for a dynamic and creative leader who will continue the momentum of the last two years. I know that God will continue to bless this congregation and its ministries, and that the future will be even more successful.

This has been one of the most enjoyable calls in my 30 plus years of ministry. Bethlehem is a wonderful congregation, Bay Ridge is a great place to work, and the staff and seniors of the Bay Ridge Center are a delight. I will miss you all, and I will continue to hold you and this ministry in my prayers. Thanks for all your love and support. God bless you all.

Russell Norris

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