27 April 2023 | St. Ablans [David Neal & Vanesa Pizzuto]
When it was announced that the Trans-European Division (TED) Stewardship Director would be leaving her role and work in order to take retirement, it came as a shock. But as Maureen says, “I am retiring because the time has come to spend time with my family.” Rock began her ministerial journey back in 2010, serving as a local church pastor. Her call to ministry grew after working in business consultancy and management. Recruited to serve as the Principal of the British Union Conference (BUC) Adventist Discovery Centre in 2017, she was called to serve as Stewardship Director for the TED in the spring of 2021.
Rock immersed herself into the Stewardship role and was excited about “the opportunity to reach out to support Union-level counterparts sharing relevant resources – including age relevant resources.” Her burden was, as she once shared in a recent interview, “to help the church promote and present stewardship subject matter in a different and more holistic way than it’s been shared in times past, because this ministry is about developing people, growing people into faithful Christ followers – putting Him first.” This comment was quickly followed with another one she was emphatic about including, and repeated here. “And just in case any of your readers have missed this point, I will say it again and again – this is not about ‘what we must do for God – or the Church’, but a consideration of ‘our response’ to His great and overwhelming grace for us in Christ.’”
The 1st floor north wing of the TED building is where Maureen’s office was located. Fellow workers along that corridor, a mix of directors and support staff are “missing her already”, said Karen Holford. “It’s been really wonderful having Maureen here in the office”, continued Karen. “Great to have another woman leader to work alongside, and to find support, and I really appreciated her spiritual approach to everything that she does. Her inspiration, her compassion, and also her desire strengthen and reach out to women pastors and leaders in TED really connectged with me.
Patrick Jonson “valued Maureen’s openness to collaborate in any way possible, and especially appreciated her motherly and caring heart for women in ministry.” Heli Otamo-Csizmadia also appreciated her “acceptance and support,” not only in terms of work “but because of who she is. I know that in retirement Maureeen will still continue to support the female pastors for whom her support has already made an impact.” Deana Stojkovic appreciated Maureens positive character and the chats along the corridor, with “a hope that she will have lots of adventures in retirement.”
Geraldine Hankin who served as Maureen’s Personal Assistant described Maureen as “an inspiration to me, because she was an encourager and I valued her wisdom. I also enjoyed her sense of humour too. You could say that I look to Maureen as my mentor, and I value her friendship and I too will miss her here in the office.”
“I will miss her hugs and cheerful presence,” said Vanesa Pizzuto, “but I am sure she will continue to bring light and joy to others in this new chapter of her life.” David Neal who once ‘walked’ in Maureen’s shoes as Stewardship director, recognised the challenges she faced in changing the stewardship understanding and paradigm. “I will miss Maureens commitment for her willingness to love all people unconditionally, to not only preach grace, but live it.
In his reflection Daniel Duda (TED president) payed tribute to Maureen and said, “We thank Maureen Rock for her work for the TED Stewardship department. She brought wisdom, pastoral heart and care for people into her work and our team. We wish her God’s richest blessings on her retirement.”
[Photos: Vanesa Pizzuto]
