Earlier this year, the Pastor -Staff Relations Committee was charged with finding a Bridge Pastor to work ¾ -full time to cover our pulpit while the Search Committee worked with an Interim Consultant, the Reverend Barbara Lemmel, to find a Settled Pastor.  Along with this, we have enjoyed the help of the Reverend Paul Hoffman who has worked very hard at filling our pastoral care needs.  After some consideration, Barbara found herself called to offer her services to our congregation as Part-Time Interim Pastor until such a time as we can fill the position of Settled Pastor.  We joyfully accepted her offer, and we are pleased to announce to you that she will begin working half-time, in conjunction with her long-time colleague and friend, the Reverend Paul Hoffman, who has agreed to continue with our church in his pastoral care function.

Barbara has preached for us a number of times this past year, and is very excited to share more of her experiences with us on a more regular basis. She has a rich history in ministry including a Master’s of Divinity from Boston University School of Theology.  She is a reconciling pastor within the United Methodist Church, and has been at the forefront of the Open and Affirming Movement in the UMC since the early 90’s.  Barb was a settled pastor at the North Ferrisburg Methodist Church where she job-shared with Kim Hornung-Marcy while they raised their children. She also served as pastor to several UMC communities in both New York and Vermont.   Currently, as her children are growing into young adulthood, she serves as a Parish Consultant for the New England UMC, and continues this.  She also is the director of “Tending the Fire”, a program of formation for Clergy and Lay Leadership.
Please join us in welcoming Barbara Lemmel to our church community.  She will begin her time with us by leading worship on the 25th of September.

Peace,

The Pastor-Staff Relations Committee