Faith and service: Fundamentals of Christmas in America
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Food for Thought
Judge of Probate Richard Dean
Recently, I read a booklet (18 pages) by Stephen Skelton titled, “The First Christmas in America, The Story of the Christmas Miracle of 1776.” It was about George Washington’s faith, the Continental Army and events of December 24-26, 1776.
Washington’s forces had dwindled from 20,000 to only 2,000. They were encamped along the frozen Delaware River. It was bitterly cold, and defeat appeared inevitable. However, instead of accepting defeat, Washington was relying on a “blessing from Heaven” for which he had repeatedly prayed.
On the night of December 25, Washington and his troops crossed the Delaware. They then marched in the bitter cold 10 miles to Trenton, New Jersey. As they marched, the weather deteriorated and the wind grew stronger.
About 8 a.m. on the 26th, the fighting began. The Battle of Trenton would turn the course of the war. Two years later Washington wrote to General Nelson that “The hand of Providence has been so conspicuous in all this, that he must be worse than an infidel that lacks faith and more than wicked, that has not gratitude enough to acknowledge his obligations.”
One could say the United States of America began on Christmas. However, the National Museum of Religion says the following about Christmas in America: “Christmas was not always a celebrated holiday in the United States. In fact, it was once outlawed …. After the American Revolution, Christmas fell further out of favor, dismissed as an English custom. It would not become a national holiday until 1870, when President Ulysses S. Grant declared it a legal, unpaid holiday for federal employees in Washington, D.C.”
George Washington, our founding father, was deeply religious and repeatedly displayed his faith and Christian convictions. He readily gave God the credit for his accomplishments. Washington was convinced that in all things God would have His will, in His time, and that Washington was simply a vessel. This is a little food for thought as we enter this Christmas season.
I am blessed and grateful to serve as your probate judge. I am fortunate to work with the outstanding staff who form our Coosa County Probate Office team. The individuals who make up our office are a work family, united in their dedication to serving and supporting our customers.
While not every person who enters our doors will get exactly what he/she wants, our commitment to service is unwavering. We strive to ensure every customer leaves our offices knowing we did everything possible to assist him/her within lawful boundaries or regulations. Our pledge is to provide timely guidance, help and honest service to everyone.
With that said, I want you to hear from our Probate Office personnel who work diligently to provide great customer service for which Coosa County is known. First, Chief Clerk Pam Weathers, who oversees and arranges our court docket/files, as well as supervising all operations.
Pam Weathers, Coosa County Probate chief clerk: I absolutely love working in the Probate Office. Every day brings the opportunity to see familiar faces, reconnect with old friends and meet new ones. As chief clerk, I see firsthand every aspect of the probate court and am involved in operations of the entire office. It makes me realize our work is very important because we help people in so many ways – often, without realizing it, they help us, too. Providing excellent customer service is at the heart of what we do because we want every person to feel valued and supported. It is a blessing when our customers just drop in to say “Hi” or tell us they like coming to the Coosa County Courthouse to conduct business. From my family to yours, I wish you a merry Christmas and a happy New Year!
Beth Stroud, Coosa County Probate recording and elections manager: Working in the Coosa County Probate Office allows me to serve our community and our county in a meaningful way each day. I take pride in helping our customers navigate important tasks. Whether it is recording land records/marriage documents, searching for documents, renewing/replacing driver’s license, working elections, or simply providing customers information regarding their situation; I strive to do so with patience, respect and a smile. I believe the work we do matters because it supports families, keeps our county running smoothly and gives our residents confidence they’re being cared for. Our customers are truly the heart of our office, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to assist them throughout the year. I wish everyone a warm, joyful and safe holiday season. Merry Christmas!
Rebecca Lewis, Coosa County licensing administrator: As the licensing administrator, I am dedicated to providing courteous and efficient service to every resident who visits our office. Whether assisting with vehicle tag renewals, titles, issuing new tags, processing business licenses, or helping with boat registration and renewals, I strive to make each interaction clear, helpful and stress-free. The work we do plays an important role in helping our community run smoothly. I take great pride in treating every customer with respect, patience and genuine care. Our goal is to ensure each customer leaves our office feeling heard, supported and satisfied with their experience. I do this because their visit and their trust truly matter to us. I wish each Coosa County resident a safe and happy holiday.
Shelia Rainwater, Coosa County licensing clerk: With nearly two decades of experience in the Rockford tag office, I’ve gained valuable insight into tags, titles, boats, mandatory-liability-insurance issues, hunting and fishing licenses, and business licenses. My goal is to promptly and professionally provide courteous service, accuracy and attention to detail while making each customer’s transactions as smooth as possible. I take pride in delivering accurate work, maintaining organized records and ensuring each transaction is completed correctly and in compliance with state and federal requirements. I also find fulfillment in knowing that my role supports the current and new residents of Coosa County. I take this opportunity to wish each customer a very merry Christmas and happy New Year.
Latashiana “Tasha” Lee, Coosa County licensing clerk: Greetings! As a licensing clerk, I specialize in processing vehicle registrations, renewing tags and processing title transfers, boat registrations and boat renewals, all while providing confidentiality during the process. My focus is on providing high quality, reliable services that meet each customer’s unique needs. I’m passionate about helping customers understand complicated processes, maintaining great customer communication and helping make the process go smoothly. I strive to serve our citizens with fairness, integrity and honesty. My goal is to grow within the office and community while maintaining professionalism, improving efficiency and increasing knowledge of state laws and procedures. I wish the Coosa County residents and surrounding communities happy holidays. God bless.
Now, to wrap up this column. I wish you all a very merry and safe Christmas and a blessed New Year! Think about December 25, 1776, Washington’s faith and our forefathers’ service to our great nation; then count your blessings. Until next year; stay safe and remember that Jesus is the reason for the season. Without him, it isn’t Christmas – it is just another day.
