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.
