Editor’s note: The Town of Tryon during its Tuesday, Nov. 19 council meeting presented the following proclamation to Father Walter Bryan, rector of Good Shepherd Episcopal Church in Tryon, for his retirement.

Whereas Father Walter Bryan has served as Rector of Good Shepherd Episcopal Church of Tryon for nine years; and
Whereas, under Bryan’s leadership, Good Shepherd has become an active participant in the Meals on Wheels program, delivering hundreds of meals annually to home-bound residents of Tryon and surrounding Polk County; and
Whereas, during Father Bryan’s tenure, Good Shepherd developed a relationship with Walmart’s Gift-in-Kind program that has provided funding and volunteer services to Thermal Belt Ministries and generated household supplies and non-perishable goods valued at over $150,000 made available to low-income citizens of Polk County; and
Whereas, Father Bryan’s leadership has supported Good Shepherd’s After-School and Tutorial Program for numerous youth living in Tryon’s Eastside neighborhoods; and
Whereas, under Father Bryan’s direction, Good Shepherd has enhanced and maintained a Scholarship Program for youth graduating from area high schools and entering technical and undergraduate schools to continue their education; and
Whereas, numerous young people have been able to attend the Western North Carolina Episcopal Diocese’s summer program at Camp Henry during Father Bryan’s tenure; and
Whereas, Father Bryan has served in various capacities in the Tryon community in volunteering with Thermal Belt Outreach Ministries, Polk Wellness Coalition, and many other organizations as a part of his active ministry; and
Whereas, Father Bryan has distinguished himself in the Western North Carolina Episcopal Diocese by serving on the Commission to Dismantle Racism, on the Diocesan Commission on Ministry, as Dean of the Hendersonville Deanery, and as a member of the Diocesan Executive Committee; and
Whereas, Father Bryan is retiring as Rector of Good Shepherd Episcopal Church on November 24, 2013; and
Whereas, Father Bryan is worthy to be praised for his service to our Lord, this church and our community; and
Now, therefore, I, J. Alan Peoples, Mayor of the Town of Tryon, N.C. do hereby proclaim Sunday, Nov. 24, 2013 as Father Walter Bryan Day and urge all members of Good Shepherd Episcopal Church of Tryon and all others to express gratitude to this outstanding individual for his spiritual stewardship and to wish that his retirement be a time of blessing and fulfillment for him and his family.