Ballard Resigns at Otey

The vestry of Otey Memorial Parish Church announced on Sept. 12 that the Rev. Joe Ballard will resign as rector of the parish.

“The vestry has received this announcement with regret and sadness, understanding the difficulty of this decision for Fr. Joe,” said a letter the vestry sent to friends and members of the parish.

Ballard’s last Sunday at Otey will be Sept. 15, when there will be an opportunity to express appreciation to him and to his wife, Bobbye, for their service to the church. Ballard has been rector at Otey for five years.

In his own letter to the parish dated Sept. 11, Ballard described the serious health problems he is experiencing. He wrote that he is resigning “with the encouragement of my doctors—they do not believe I can ‘slow the slide’ in my health while working here as parish priest and rector.”

“Under Fr. Joe’s leadership, the last five years have seen a renewal of our ministry in the community at Otey Parish,” the vestry wrote. “We are thankful to God for the leadership of Fr. Ballard, and for all that has been accomplished: Otey is and will remain a vibrant, living faith community.”