News of the Week - St. Giles Presbyterian Church

News of the Week

On August 29th, the congregation voted unanimously to call Sarah Marsh as Associate Pastor! Sarah will begin her work at St. Giles in mid-October. Get to know her a bit through this short video.

The Process

In the Presbyterian Church congregations elect their officers, including pastors. Last January the congregation elected an Associate Pastor Nominating Committee (APNC), comprised of Nick Archer, Dave Barr, Gilpin Brown, Taylor Greene, Emily Masloff, Jaye Parma, Elizabeth Scott, Justin VanBlaricom, and Bev Walters.

The APNC reviewed resumes from 51 applicants (and received another 15 late in the process), sent written questions to those apparently qualified, conducted phone interviews and checked references, and then brought the top four in for weekend interviews. After much discussion and prayer, the APNC determined that Sarah Marsh was clearly the one best suited for St. Giles, and informed the presbytery, whose Examinations Committee examined her at length earlier this month. She passed that exam with flying colors, and so is now ready to be presented to the congregation as the APNC’s nominee to be Associate Pastor. Should the congregation approve, Sarah will begin her service here on October 16.

The Person

Sarah was born and raised on the west coast, where she graduated from Whitworth College with a degree in Communications in 1996. However, she has been in the east for most of the last decade, having prepared for ministry at Princeton Seminary, and then serving as Associate Pastor for the last six years at Calvin Church, in Louisville, KY. Her

exemplary service there with Paul Detterman (who has since gone to direct Presbyterians For Renewal) led him to recommend her to us. At Calvin Church she had particular responsibilities for pastoral care and spiritual formation. Sarah also learned the breadth of ministerial responsibilities for the last three years, as Calvin Church sought their next Senior Pastor, and she served as the glue that held it all together during that transition.

Sarah is single, and her mom and two sisters live on the west coast. Sarah is expecting visits from family and friends! And thus she is happy to have found a house here in Richmond, about ten minutes north of St. Giles.

When she’s not pastoring, Sarah delights in travel, dancing, and taking in the great outdoors.

The Prospects

This is an exciting season at St. Giles. There is more than enough ministry to go around, both for the members and the Pastors. Sarah’s three areas of primary focus will be Congregational Care, Adult Education, and Young Adults. Her proven abilities in all three areas give promise of a new vitality in these parts of St. Giles’ life. Beyond that she will also join Keith in the whole array of pastoral duties, leading worship, teaching, occasionally preaching, and offering pastoral care. With Jeff Butler continuing to make pastoral care visits as he has been this year, this area of need should be especially well tended.

People of all ages and both genders can relate to any particular pastor, but there is certainly an advantage to having pastors in a church who span some decades and both genders. Particularly in pastoral care, some people connect more readily with someone of the same gender, or who is closer to their age. Sarah will provide such a breadth to our leadership, along with fresh perspectives.

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Preschool Founding Director

St Giles Presbyterian Church (SGPC)

5200 Grove Avenue . Richmond, VA 23226

Immediate opening for an experienced Preschool Director to serve as the Founding Director for a new Christian preschool being formed at SGPC, with its first classes beginning September 2011. This Christian preschool design is for children 2 ½ to 5 years old with a maximum of 40-45 students in a half-day program.

The Director will be responsible for recommending the curriculum, hiring and supervision of teachers and staff, all daily operations, interaction with parents and church staff members, and other leadership responsibilities.

The successful candidate will have experience in and be comfortable in leading Christian preschool operations, familiarity with all Commonwealth of Virginia preschool regulations, a love for working with and nurturing the development of young children, strong communication skills (both oral and written) as well as being a self starter. An education degree in a child related field is preferred.

If interested, please send your resume to Lynley Steadman at lwsteadman@gmail.com

* Location: Richmond – near West End (at SGPC facility)

* We offer a competitive salary and benefit program.

* Principals only-recruiters, please do not contact this poster.

* Please- no phone calls about this position!

* Please do not contact poster about other services, products or commercial services.