Grace Presbyterian Church, Montclair, New Jersey

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Pastor's Pulse

by Paul Leggett, Pastor

Reverend Rachel Brown presented to Congregation

February 2011

“I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a minister of the church at Cenchreae, so that you may welcome her in the Lord as is fitting for the saints … .” – Romans 16:1

On January 23 the Rev. Rachel Brown was presented to the congregation of Grace Presbyterian Church as the unanimous candidate of the Associate Pastoral Nominating Committee for the position of Associate Pastor.  Rachel preached on the theme of “Hearing God’s Voice” from Jeremiah 7:23-24 and John 6:44-45.  She preached about the various ways that God communicates to us and the ways we can seek to discern God’s voice.  She shared an experience she had on a mission trip to Rawanda attending a service for the victims of the bloody conflict there.  She pointed out that God was not only with the victims but also was speaking to the perpetrators calling them to refrain from their violence.  She challenged us to be sensitive to God’s voice even in the most ordinary (and occasionally) frustrating daily experiences.

Rev. Brown also led in prayer at both the 8:30 and 11 am services.  Following the second service she excused herself and the congregational meeting came to order.  Elder Rob DePue reported as moderator of the Associate Pastoral Nominating Committee that the committee had reviewed sixty applicants for the position, all good and several outstanding.  The Rev. Rachel Brown was the committee’s unanimous choice.  Following Rob’s report and the distribution of the ballots the congregation voted.  The final vote was 111 in favor, 4 opposed and 1 abstention.  The Rev. Richard Sommers, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Caldwell was present representing Newark Presbytery.  He proceeded to present the call with the vote to Rev. Brown who in turn officially accepted it.  Rev. Brown was greeted enthusiastically upon returning to the sanctuary.  The rest of the congregational meeting proceeded smoothly.  Following the meeting many took the opportunity to greet Rev. Brown.

Rev. Brown is a native of Baltimore, Maryland.  She has lived fourteen years in California and is currently a member of the San Diego Presbytery.  She graduated from Fuller Theological Seminary in 2005.  Most recently she has been serving as a hospital chaplain in Baltimore.  She will begin serving in her new role as our Associate Pastor as of Wednesday, Jan. 26. She will officially be presented to Newark Presbytery at their next regular meeting on Saturday, Feb. 5.  Following what we expect to be a positive response from the Presbytery details about her installation will then be finalized.

We praise the Lord for sending us Rev. Brown!  We look forward to a rich and fruitful ministry with her.