A Letter from Transitional Conference Minister
The Rev. Marilyn Kendrix

It is with mixed feelings that we announce the resignation of The Rev. Jennifer Geary, Irons Homestead Director, effective May 10^th. It is always sad to lose a dedicated, hardworking member of the staff and the Rhode Island Conference will surely miss Jennifer’s dedicated service. 

Jennifer has contributed a great deal to the success of the Conference’s Outdoor Ministries and we acknowledge her efforts to take Irons Homestead from the neglected state that she found it in seven years ago to the place it is today.

On behalf of the Board of Directors, I wish to thank Jennifer for her commitment and dedication throughout the years and on behalf of everyone in our Rhode Island Conference, I would like to wish Jennifer the best of success in future challenges and endeavors.

Letter from Mark Dennen
Vice President of Outdoor Ministry

Seven years ago Jennifer Geary began her ministry here by becoming Director of Irons Homestead with the goal of improving our sacred space so that it can be used to teach creation stewardship.  This part time position became her full time passion.  She not only worked tirelessly maintaining and improving the facilities, she was also a prolific grant writer securing funds for all sorts of upgrades, including a new truck, kayaks, canoes, storage facilities at the beach, and scholarships to allow homeless children to attend camp.  In revitalizing the day and overnight camps, she serves as camp director, counselor, curriculum director and cook, just to name a few.

She worked hard at making the site a major resource for Providence Experience Groups, grooming relationships with many service organizations to allow youth from all over the country to serve the neediest communities in Rhode Island.  The money from these and other rentals put Irons Homestead in a strong position financially.  Under her leadership, we have not only a new roof for the lodge but solar panels to demonstrate our commitment to creating stewardship.

I also want to thank her husband Bud who, in all but title, has served as a key Irons Homestead staff member over these past seven years as well.

Whether through silent prayer or in person, I hope that all of you reading this will join me in saying a prayer of thanks for her ministry and pray that she finds a calling where all of her passion and talents will be fully realized.