MONROE - St. John's United Church of Christ will see a major staffing change in the coming months with the retirements of its senior pastor, director of Christian Education, director of music/organist and the resignation of its associate pastor.
All will be effective in May.
Rev. Mike Heath will retire after serving as senior pastor for 20 years on Sunday, May 19, along with Kay Carter-Heath, who has been director of Christian Education for 20 years, and Deb Kraus-Smith, who has been director of music since January of 2008.
Rev. Gretchen Sylvester and family will be moving to the Chicago area where she has received a call from a church in Elmhurst, Ill. Her last day will be Sunday, May 12. Sylvester has been the associate minister since April of 2004.
A farewell celebration for Kraus-Smith will be held at 10 a.m. Sunday, May 5; for Sylvester at 10 a.m., Sunday, May 12; and for the Heaths at 10 a.m. on Sunday, May 19. All will be held in Fellowship Hall of the church. The public is invited.
Search committees are now working to fill all positions on an interim and permanent basis.
All will be effective in May.
Rev. Mike Heath will retire after serving as senior pastor for 20 years on Sunday, May 19, along with Kay Carter-Heath, who has been director of Christian Education for 20 years, and Deb Kraus-Smith, who has been director of music since January of 2008.
Rev. Gretchen Sylvester and family will be moving to the Chicago area where she has received a call from a church in Elmhurst, Ill. Her last day will be Sunday, May 12. Sylvester has been the associate minister since April of 2004.
A farewell celebration for Kraus-Smith will be held at 10 a.m. Sunday, May 5; for Sylvester at 10 a.m., Sunday, May 12; and for the Heaths at 10 a.m. on Sunday, May 19. All will be held in Fellowship Hall of the church. The public is invited.
Search committees are now working to fill all positions on an interim and permanent basis.
