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! 

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. 

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! 

 

Returning to 165 S. Main Street!!

Dear friends,

We’re writing to share some wonderful news: starting Sunday, December 14, we will be holding our worship services in the sanctuary of our own church building at 165 S. Main Street! We are overjoyed. You may enter either through the front door, or the ramp from the parking lot. 

It’s important to state that the rebuilding is far from complete. The sanctuary, which was always our first priority, will be largely finished. The mini-splits have been installed, the flooring and the wainscoting is beautiful, and the finishing touches will be done this week. There is a new hearing loop system installed, which will provide access to users of hearing aids. The pews are scheduled to arrive Tuesday morning, and the piano on Thursday. While our new chairs won’t be available until December 16, we have been gifted chairs that will arrive this week. In other words, you won’t need to bring a folding chair to church! 

But…the kitchen and the bathrooms will not be complete until closer to the end of the year. (One bathroom is accessible at this time.) And the fellowship hall will not be finished until sometime in the new year. 

We hope to hold a larger celebration of our return in 2026, but please plan to join us as we celebrate the final Sundays of Advent--and Christmas Eve!--in our church sanctuary. As always, if you have any questions please let us know.  

A Year Post-Helene: An interview with Presbyterian News Service

We are so grateful to this Presbytery, to Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA), and to the Presbyterian News Service for the time they spent talking with our Transitional Pastor, Merri Alexander, and our Ruling Elder Howard Seiler about this past year. Please spend a moment with us, and while we may not be (yet) back in our church building--it's not far off!

 

Mission Study Report is complete!

Mission Study Report is complete! This is one of the steps required for seeking a new pastor. This report will be submitted to the Presbytery of Western North Carolina. When the PWNC approves this document, we are free to establish a Pastor Nominating Committee which will use this information to help guide the process of matching our church with prospective pastors.  

Copy of MPC Mission Statement 8-3-25.pdf by Marshall Presbyterian Church

March Newsletter

February 2025 newsletter by Marshall Presbyterian Church 

We Keep Us Safe

For all who are reeling in fear and uncertainty right now, a statement by More Light Presbyterians gives hope and shines the light of truth as a beacon in a dark night: 

Hateful people want nothing more than to see you feeling hopeless and abandoned—but we promise you, there will always be people in your corner ready to protect you with our lives. We will not leave you to fight alone, no matter how dire things get. Cling to your community, nurture your spirit however you can, and remember: Politicians were never going to save us. We keep us safe, trusting in the love and solidarity of the One who created each of us with purpose and delight (Genesis 1:31; Psalm 139:14).