Going Across the Pond
It is with great excitement that I can share with you where Mary Erin and I will be headed following my graduation from Princeton Theological Seminary! It is probably the most asked question I get when talking to people about my time in seminary. "So, you're a senior, huh? What comes next?" For the longest time, our answer was something like, "Most of our family and friends are back in the midwest, so we will probably be looking for a solo pastor call in that area of the country, likely in a smaller community." Well, we will be moving to a smaller community, but it isn't exactly in the midwest.
This coming September, I will begin a one year pastoral residency program at the Groomsport Presbyterian Church, located in the village of Groomsport, Northern Ireland. This congregation has a long affiliation with Princeton Theological Seminary, with students and graduates serving with the congregation for over a quarter-century. I will be serving in a full-time pastoral position; preaching twice per month, leading a variety of educational and fellowship opportunities, making pastoral and hospital visits, and all of the other responsibilities of a "generalist" pastoral role. While Groomsport is a smaller village of about 3,000 residents, the congregation serves over 450 families. This means there is never a shortage of pastoral care needs.
This is an exciting opportunity for a whole host of reasons, but the most important is that my wife and I will be able to stay together during this year. The church provides a house, car, transportation, and a basic salary. This means that we can financially afford (with some work) to go on this adventure together. We will likely plan to tack on some time at either the front or back end of the trip to do some traveling in Europe; a life-long dream of mine! Additionally, we will have the opportunity to spend a year living right on the coast; from the front doors of the church you look out over the bay. Of course, this adventure, like any good adventure, is not without its challenges, but we are both faithful that God will continue to provide.
It is very exciting to be able to share this news with you. It is even more exciting to know that upon graduation, there is a congregation waiting to welcome Mary Erin and I, if only for a year. If you find yourself going across the pond next year, know that we will have a guest room!
Until next time, Peace!