Newsletter - October 2026

 

October 2026 newsletter by Marshall Presbyterian Church

A brief interview with Rev. Paul Sink

As of September 15th, Marshall Presbyterian has a new pastor! We hope you will join us in welcoming the Reverend Paul Sink. His first Sunday with us will be September 20th. Please join us for the 11:00 worship service followed by a luncheon in the Fellowship Hall. And before you do, read a little about Paul in his own words:

MPC: Paul! We're so excited you're here, and can't want to introduce you to our community. Rather than trying to let folks know what we've learned about you in the past few months, we thought we'd invite you to introduce yourself. So...tell us a little about yourself!

Paul Sink: Who am I??? I'm a husband, father, ally, woodworker, hiker, back-packer, scouter, promoter, and community pastor. Jennifer and I will celebrate 30 years of marriage in 2027. We are old house junkies!

Alison and Aspen are our two wonderful adult daughters who I have always loved spending time with, especially outdoors. My life and ministry have been rooted in allyship for the LGBTQ+ community for longer than I knew to call myself an ally.

Custom woodworking has long been a passion of mine. The most spiritually connected things I've made are probably the chancel furniture pieces for First United Methodist Church in Taylorsville. The most fun piece I've made is a coat rack from a tree root with a budding woodworker.

Our family has always loved spending time in the great outdoors and hiking has been a wonderful way to explore God's creation! Backpacking on my own, with friends and family, or with scouts has always been a favorite way for me to reconnect with nature and reset my whole being.

Scouting has been important in my life from my own time as a Cub Scout and then earning my Eagle Scout rank. Knowing the value of scouting on young people, I have remained an active adult scouter for the last 15 years.

When someone or some group is doing something good or for the good of humanity, I absolutely love shining a light on them. I am a shameless promoter of things that make the world a better place.

God continues to call me to serve the community beyond the church walls. Being a small church pastor in a rural community creates natural connections for ministry in all kinds of settings... coffee shops, grocery store aisles, courtrooms, PRIDE events, soup kitchens, and even the street corners.

MPC: How did you come to be a Presbyterian pastor?

I am a "cradle Presbyterian" and have always been active in our churches from a very young age. God was working on calling me to become a pastor long before I realized it and through many people in my life. Serving as a chaplain for Scout Troop 200 in Lexington, NC is where it all began with me leading worship in the woods for groups of scouts and leaders.Years later, while volunteering as a church youth advisor in Raleigh, the teenagers of that church family convinced me to explore a call to ministry. Their urging is what ultimately led me on a deeper journey of discernment through two Seminaries and multiple church families.

MPC: You're coming to us after nearly 20 years serving as a pastor for Taylorsville Presbyterian. What was something that experience taught you about church and community?

My pastoral experience in Taylorsville taught me that I truly love small church ministry, particularly in rural communities. The nature of relationship building that takes place within the church family and deep into the community is such a gift that truly pays Kingdom dividends in making the church known, loved and approachable. Serving as a facilitator of the weaving together of church and community activities and resources was always rewarding, especially when the lines of diversity could be woven together in meaningful ways.

MPC: I know that youth and mission work have been important to your ministry. How has this shaped your experience as a pastor?

Jesus calls us to love and serve our neighbors. Mission work of all kinds has always been central to my life and ministry, whether short term mission trips or weekly opportunities with local service agencies. I have found that the heartbeat of many congregations can resonate best when there are external outreach projects for folks to engage in together. True Christian community grows deeper when we serve God's children together. Involving youth of all ages in mission work has been so rewarding. It instills lifelong habits of service in those youth, but it also creates an intergenerational aspect to the church family that is difficult to articulate or replicate. The learning and communication across generations that takes place while working together for someone else is invaluable for faith formation. I find threads of these types of experiences are often woven into my preaching and teaching to inspire us to stay engaged beyond ourselves.

MPC: What are some of your core beliefs about the nature of God and God's relationship to the church?

When I think about what is central to how I experience God and what I believe about the nature of God, the first word that comes to mind is love. God's love for us is complete and unwavering and God loves us for exactly who we are. Because of God's love for us, we are called to share love with the wide diversity of community that we live in.

I also believe firmly that God is with us through all that life brings our way. This is where God truly shines through the church family. We show up for one another... prayers, casseroles, hugs and high fives...these are all expressions of God's loving care.

God calls us into Christian community. Our active participation is needed and longed for by God and other members of the church family. I truly believe that God misses us when we drift from our church family ties. God desires relationship with us and for us, which is often most fully expressed within the congregation. Worship, fellowship, celebrations, mourning, meetings and more are times when we can grow closer through God.

(Probably longer than you want for this format, but this was part of my Faith Statement that I sent to y'all)

God is love

Love that is known and deep

Love that is shared and free

Love that is tangible and lofty

Love that saves us from ourselves

Jesus shows us love

Love that heals and hopes

Love that teaches and leads

Love that welcomes all to the table

Love that rises above

God’s Spirit is in love

In love with all creation; all God’s children

In love through wind and breath

In love through families of faith

In love through Word and water and wine

God is love

Love is God

Share love

Share God

MPC: What are you excited about in your move to Marshall?

I am most excited about a few things as we join y'all here in Marshall. Firstly, I'm excited about being your pastor of this fully welcoming and accepting church family. Personally, this means that my entire family will be comfortable and welcomed. Professionally, this means that my life of being an ally and supporter of outcast folks will find new opportunities here.

The creative/artsy vibe of the church and wider community is energizing and inspiring. This puts MPC in a unique place of being an active part of the next chapter for Marshall. What an exciting time to serve as your pastor!

As Marshall continues to recover from Helene, things are bound to change and be different than before. The same may be the case with MPC, and I'm excited to help y'all navigate what the future is for Marshall Presbyterian.

MPC: What question would you like to be asked? :-)

I'll have to ponder this one further...you've asked some great questions!!

Saying Goodbye to Rev. Merri Alexander

It is with great joy (not untinged with sadness) that this Sunday, September 13, we celebrate our last Sunday worship together with our Transitional Pastor, Rev. Merri Alexander. Merri came to us in April 2024 to serve in the role of Transitional Pastor, intending to shepherd us through our process of letting go of our past minister, to affirm who we were as a congregation, and to guide us through the process of finding a new minister. All of which she did, with strength, patience, and a tremendous amount of love.

What no one foresaw at the time of her arrival was that Hurricane Helene would devastate the region, the town, and the church building in September 2024. In the role of a Transitional Pastor, then, Merri shepherded us through the rebuilding of an entire church building. She found resources through the Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, through the Presbytery of Western North Carolina, through countless hours of meetings and phone calls and zoom calls and anything else that could help. She provided administrative leadership, and showed us all how to delegate what needed to be done. At every step along the way, she reminded us that she was not our permanent pastor, and empowered us to remember that the Presbyterian Church's leaders are found in its Session, comprised of its members.

Next Sunday we will welcome our new pastor, the Rev. Paul Sink. But this Sunday, we will gather to celebrate the ministry of Merri Alexander with thanksgiving and love. Please join us at 11:00, followed by refreshments in the fellowship hall.

Introducing our New Pastor: Rev. Paul Sink

Marshall Presbyterian is delighted to introduce our new pastor, Rev. Paul Sink. Paul and Jennifer will be coming to us from Taylorsville Presbyterian, where Paul has served as pastor since 2007. He is active in Rotary, in Scouts, at Camp Grier, and as a community ally with the PRIDE club at Alexander Central High School. Paul writes: “My life and ministry have been focused on sharing the love of Jesus Christ with all of God’s children so that everyone feels welcome and included.” This is exactly how we feel at Marshall Presbyterian!

Jennifer is an Occupational Therapist who has accepted a job at Mission Hospital, and she and Paul have two grown children. Paul is also a woodworker, and looking forward to getting to know the craftspeople of our community. They are both excited to be starting the next chapter of their lives together in Marshall!

Paul's first Sunday with us will be September 20th. We can't wait to introduce him to our community. Please join us for the service and a reception to follow! 

August/September Newsletter

 

August-Sept 2026 newsletter by Marshall Presbyterian Church

Community Forum

 

La Esperanza will be hosting a community forum on Thursday, August 20th at 6:00 pm at Marshall Presbyterian.

The forum will provide information on current immigration laws in North Carolina and their impact on our local community. Immigration attorney Jacob Oakes of Pisgal Legal Services will provide an overview of current immigration laws, and answer questions. Mary Kaczmarek, a pro bono volunteer attorney with the Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy and a Certified Immigration Court observer with the American Bar Association's Immigration Justice Project will share her firsthand experiences observing immigration court proceedings. 

Contact Rebecca at 828-329-0675 to RSVP. 

Zumba!

 Zumba! Join La Esperanza for a fun movement class on Wednesdays at 6 in the Fellowship Hall starting August 5. A $10 donation is requested. Please call Rebecca at (828) 329-0675 to RSVP.

Congregational meeting

 As announced last Sunday and in a phone call,  there will be a Congregational Meeting for the purpose of  presenting the nominee for permanent pastor.

     on Sunday, August 2, 9:30am 

Community choir starting July 20!

A community choir is coming to Marshall!

Come make some joyful noise with us on Monday evenings beginning July 21.

🎵 Monday evenings starting July 20
🎵 6:30 pm
🎵 Marshall Presbyterian Church Sanctuary

The idea for bringing a choir together grew out of planning for Marshall Presbyterian Church's September 27 rededication service, but our hope is much broader than that: simply to sing together as a community.

Performances are not our objective, though we suspect the choir may pop up here and there — in whole or in part — including at the September 27 service.

No auditions. No experience required. Just a chance to gather, raise our voices together, and enjoy making music.

The sanctuary is wheelchair accessible, childcare can be provided (please let us know if that would help you attend), and everyone is welcome.

Laurel Country Pride Festival

Come enjoy the music and stop by to say "hi" to us Marshall Pres, Mars Hill United Methodist Church, and the Episcopal Church of the Holy Spirit (Mars Hill) as we share a table at the afternoon Laurel Country Pride Festival:

• July 21
• 12-5pm
• Big Pillow Brewing, 25 Andrews Ave N., Hot Springs

Ryan Oslance and Friends Concert July 18·8:00 – 10:00pm

Ryan Oslance and Friends Concert 

🎵  Saturday, July 18
🎵  8:00 pm
🎵  Marshall Presbyterian Church

An evening designed for both eyes and ears.

Update:  It was a wonderful night of magical music and primrose.  One guest described the music as "reimagined folk."  

david moore
bing&ruth
jacob wick
 primrose

Flowers

After the waters of Hurricane Helene changed so much in our community, flowers have become small but powerful reminders of renewal.

A dear Presbyterian, Dannie Pipes, has spread wildflower seeds on the ground where the Marshall town hall and police station once stood before the flood took them away. In a place marked by loss, new life is beginning to take root.

Dannie has also created a beautiful memorial painting honoring the two bikers who lost their lives last year. The painting was shared during a recent gathering that brought hundreds of bikers to Marshall to remember and honor them. 

Through flowers, art, and acts of remembrance, our community continues to find ways to honor what has been lost while looking toward what comes next. Thank you Dannie for all the beauty you bring to Marshall!

Shirley is weaving again!

 Click here: WLOS feature about Shirley

September 28, 2024, as the waters of the French Broad River receded after Hurricane Helene, MPC member Shirley stood looking at an unimaginable loss. Her rented studio building — with brick walls three layers thick — had been swept down the river. Gone with it were forty years of weaving work, tools, and carefully collected yarns gathered over a lifetime of creating.

It would have been understandable to stop there, with grief and memories of what had been lost.

But artists and makers know something about beginning again.

Today, Shirley has set up her weaving studio once more. Through the generosity of strangers, replacement looms have found their way into her new space. Support from churches in the Presbytery of Western North Carolina and many caring hands in the community helped make the recreation of a teaching studio at Marshall High Studios possible.

The flood took much, but it did not take Shirley's gift, her creativity, or her determination to weave beauty into the world once again. Threads are once again passing through the loom, and a new chapter of Shirley's work is being woven.

My Life is but a Weaving, often attributed to Corrie ten Boom

My life is but a weaving
Between my God and me.
I cannot choose the colors
He weaveth steadily.

Oft’ times He weaveth sorrow;
And I in foolish pride
Forget He sees the upper
And I the underside.

Not ’til the loom is silent
And the shuttles cease to fly
Will God unroll the canvas
And reveal the reason why.

The dark threads are as needful
In the weaver’s skillful hand
As the threads of gold and silver
In the pattern He has planned

He knows, He loves, He cares;
Nothing this truth can dim.
He gives the very best to those
Who leave the choice to Him.

July 1st Community Conversation: Separation of Church and State

Explore Representative James Talarico's faith-forward approach.  

July 1st, 7pm
Marshall Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall (double doors at the top of the ramp)

Join with neighbors for a thoughtful presentation by Danny Wyatt about James Talarico's view that our democracy is stronger when faith informs us - but government includes all.  

Everyone welcome.  Child care provided.

Third Sunday at Walnut

June 21st is the third Sunday of the month and Marshall Pres folks will be worshipping with Walnut Presbyterian Church folks at Walnut, 270 Barnard Rd, Marshall.

All are welcome to worship together at Walnut Presbyterian Church!

Worship starts at 11am.

We will be back home at MPC on the 28th of June. Every month we worship at Walnut Presbyterian Church the third Sunday.

Newsletter for May, June and July

This month's issue holds exciting updates on the church rebuilding, on an upcoming choir opportunity for members and non-members alike; on our Monthly Mission Outreach partners, and more! Welcome to Ordinary Time, a liturgical season that's not ordinary in the least. 

Stay cool this weekend, drink plenty of water even when you don't think you need it, and we hope to see you in church (whatever that means to you -- you'll read some interesting reflections on what it is to church by our own Dr. Jim Vest in this month's issue) soon! 

May, June, July 2026 newsletter by Marshall Presbyterian Church

Mermaid Parade Events

 The Mermaid parade is June 6, line-up is at 3pm on the island (no parking on the island).

A splash zone with a dunking booth and water activities for kids will be in the Marshall Presbyterian Church parking lot from noon to 4pm.

Full schedule here:

https://www.exploremarshallnc.com/events/mermaid-parade

There are fresh-water mermaids in the French Broad!

Pisgah Legal

Pisgah Legal is now offering walk-in office hours in Marshall for anyone needing disaster-related (and other) legal help. If you know of anyone who could use their assistance, please feel free to pass it on: 

Marshall Office Hours Through June

Our Marshall office now offers walk-in hours on Thursdays from 10am - 7pm through the month of June.

Staff can provide information and guidance and help you apply for:

• Free legal help with housing problems, domestic violence, debt, disaster recovery, and more

• Health insurance counseling

• Tax return preparation

Marshall Office
32 Main St, Marshall
Thursdays in June
10am - 7pm

Sunday May 31 (yes, there might be rocking music when we sing "Glory to God Whose Goodness Shines on Me")

MPC is delighted to welcome our guest pastor this Sunday, the Reverend Bill Buchanan who, among his many interests, taught a class at Union Presbyterian Seminary "about how jazz is our model for post empire church and how funk is the music of the kingdom of God"

Bill is the executive director of Youth Mission Co. which in 2024 and 2025 organized groups of high school students who came and worked in Marshall.

Printable bulletin for May 31, 2026

Special Visitors from Massie's Mill Presbyterian

                     Rev. Merri, Judy, Wayne, Howard May 24, 2026

It was a delight to welcome Judy and Wayne Hash from Massie's Mill Presbyterian Church to our Pentecost service. Massie's Mill was one of the first congregations to send much-needed support in the weeks following Hurricane Helene. They did so because, many years ago, they too had to rebuild after losing their own church home. They knew what it was like, and they wanted us to know we weren't alone.

This support mattered financially, of course, but it also gave us the understanding that our recovering from this devastating flood mattered not only to our own congregation, but to those who may live far away, places we've never been, and people we've never met. It gave us strength to rebuild, even through those dark hours when rebuilding seemed a fool's mission. And when we sent donations to Kerr County, Texas, after their own flooding last summer, we did so at least in part as a result of Judy and Wayne Hash's church's support for us. 

Today we learned that the congregation at Massie's Mill continues to follow our recovery; that they print out our newsletter and post it on their own bulletin board; that they pray for us every Sunday. We are humbled by their kindness, their dedication, and by their example. May we always live together in fellowship and joy. 

Sunday, May 24th

There will be a fascinating reading of Acts 2:1-12 this Sunday!

THE PRISON INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX, A Community Conversation

Join with Madison County neighbors for an engaging presentation and discussion with:

                 Dr. Craig Goforth, Chair
                 Criminal Justice and Forensics
                 Mars Hill University 
 

                 Friday, May 22
                 6:45 PM
                 Marshall Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall
                      (enter through the double doors at the top of the ramp)

THE PRISON INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX

Public vs. Private Prisons

A Community Conversation                            

       
Exploring questions such as:

• Are private prisons constitutional?
• How has incarceration become connected to profit and industry?
• What is the “Prison Industrial Complex”?
• How do public policy, economics, and justice intersect?
• What are the impacts on communities and society?
• What are the three strikes laws? 
  

 
More about the Prison Industrial Complex:

• What is the Prison Industrial Complex?  Tufts University 
• Eliminating the prison industrial complex   pcusa.org
• A Reformed Witness Mourning Deaths in Immigration Detention  pcusa.org

There will be ice cream from the BoBo Market  :-)

Pastor Nominating Committee (PNC)

Let us introduce ourselves: we (l-r: Carolyn, Dannie, Lynne) are the PNC (Paster Nominating Committee) elected by the Session. We’ve been having a wonderful time considering candidates who feel called to serve at Marshall Presbyterian. As our dear transitional pastor, Merri Alexander, reminds us, our next pastor has already been chosen for us by God. More will be revealed!

 Neighbors In Need, Inc., a 501(c)(3) crisis organization, active in Madison County, NC for over 40 years, is now operating from the fellowship hall of Marshall Presbyterian Church, 165 South Main Street, Marshall, NC. The fellowship hall is located at the rear of the Church building through the double doors at the top of the parking area ramp.

NIN continues to assist Madison County residents with utility assistance in times of financial crisis on an annual 12 month rolling basis and helps with critical heating needs from December 01 through March 31 each year. As all equipment and supplies were lost during the 2024 flood, there is currently no food pantry offered, but Help may be available from Beacon of Hope Services.

Neighbors in need is open each Tuesday from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm. An in-person visit is strongly encouraged but is required at least once a year. However, if needed, a message with a question can be left at (828) 206-2001. Please, use the (828) 206-2001 number for a more timely response rather than leaving a voice-mail on the church's phone; speak slowly, leaving your name, your question, and return telephone number.

Neighbors in Need update!

Great News! Neighbors in Need is once again operating out of Marshall Presbyterian, and has moved out of its temporary location at AB Tech. You can find Neighbors in Need in the fellowship hall on Tuesdays from 1-3 pm. For more information contact Neighbors in Need at 828-206-2001.

Please note that this program no longer operates a food pantry, but considers requests for help with heating and utilities.

March-April Newsletter

 

March-April 2026 newsletter by Marshall Presbyterian Church

What are our hopes?

We asked ourselves, now that we are back in our sanctuary, what are our hopes for our church building now? What are our hopes for the years to come? 

We agree on this: We want our church building to be a place that is welcoming to all, and our actions within the community to reflect our beliefs in the directives given in Micah 6:8: that we act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God.  

Thank you to everyone who participated in this gathering of ideas. As our work of rebuilding our church continues, we hope to see our plans of community partnerships becoming more detailed. It's an exciting time to be part of Marshall Presbyterian! 

 

Sunday March 1st, we worship at 165 S Main Street, Marshall

In the March 1 bulletin:

God is the one we cannot escape. Like a dog who will not go home, God follows us; like a “hound of heaven,” God chases us “down the arches of the years.” God is with us. That is Jesus’ name: Emmanuel, God is with us. God is with you today and God will be with you every day, even at the end of your days, God is with you.

(Thomas W. Currie, III, Prayers for the Road)

"I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and five you a heart of flesh." Ezekiel 36:26

 

Dark Red Sea, Emil Nolde (c.1938, German)

“I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.”

Ezekiel 36:26

O Lord, who has mercy upon all, take away from me my sins,

and mercifully kindle in me the fire of Thy Holy Spirit.

Take away from me the heart of stone, and give me a heart of flesh,

a heart to love and adore You, a heart to delight in You,

to follow and enjoy You, for Christ’s sake. Amen.

Ambrose of Milan, 4th century

Community / Interfaith / Ecumenical Gathering – Walk for Peace Meditation

Folks in the Marshall community are gathering for a special interfaith, ecumenical meditation on loving-kindness, joining people around the world in the “Walk for Peace.”

Buddhist monks, accompanied by their rescue dog Aloka, have walked more than 2,300 miles on foot from Texas to Washington, D.C., sharing a message of compassion, unity, and peace. Their journey concludes with a global meditation gathering that will be livestreamed, and our sanctuary will be open for anyone who wishes to participate in community.

All are welcome. Come for all or part of the time. No experience or preparation is needed—just an open heart and a willingness to sit together in peace.

Wednesday, February 11 4:30 – 7:30 PM Marshall Presbyterian Church 165 S. Main Street, Marshall

This gathering is open to the entire community.

Another way to join in this worldwide action is to simply take your own walk for peace:

Walk with intention. Walk with love. Walk for unity. Monks and people around the world are coming together to spread peace, compassion, and hope—one step at a time. No registration. No rules. Just walk with a peaceful heart. “Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.” James 3:18

Jan-Feb Newsletter

Jan-Feb 2026 newsletter by Marshall Presbyterian Church