Open Letter to Springdale Presbyterian Church from the Pastor Nominating Committee

As a spokesperson for the Pastor Nominating Committee, commissioned by you, the congregation, to conduct a search for an individual called by God to serve as our next installed Pastor, I am happy and proud to report the results of our efforts.

Our decision to extend the call to Rev. Dwain Lee to serve as our Pastor was not one of intellect, nor one of emotion, but rather was a decision arising out of prayer, which we all agree was answered by God. During our lengthy process of search and discernment over a period of nine months, during which we reviewed nearly 100 Pastor Information Forms and conducted numerous telephone and personal interviews, it became clear to us that God was leading us in the direction of a change that we had not anticipated. Ultimately, the call to Rev. Dwain Lee came from God as a result of our tenacious discernment, and we acknowledged that we were commissioned to be messengers of the decision to which we were led by the Holy Spirit.

We, the members of your Pastor Nominating Committee, are acutely aware that with any change comes some anxiety. We also firmly believe that because God led us in the direction of a change that none of us anticipated, the Holy Spirit will guide our congregation along the path of transition to loving acceptance of a new Pastor called to be our shepherd.

​We wish each of you the Shalom made possible by the life, death, and resurrection of Christ Jesus.
 
Paul Hibberd, chairperson
Becky Backert, Ann Botula, Bruce Bunger, Laura Hagan, Lisa Hebert, Cathy Longstreet, Alex Revell, and Phillip Swartzentruber

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What is next for Springdale congregation members?

​THIS WEEK

On Tuesday, July 19, all members of Springdale Presbyterian Church will be mailed the information included on this web page along with the proposed Terms of Call.

For any congregation members who have questions for the Pastor Nominating Committee about the Call Process or the decision to call Rev. Dwain Lee as our Installed Pastor, you may personally ask those questions of our committee members at the church from 7-8 pm on Tuesday, July 19, Wednesday, July 20, and Friday, July 22.

​SUNDAY, JULY 24

10:00 am  ONE Worship Service
The Rev. Dwain Lee will preach and help lead our worship service
(note the special time.)

11:00 am  Called Congregational Meeting (following worship)
Your Pastor Nominating Committee will move that the congregation elect the Rev. Dwain Lee to be our installed Pastor, and then, in a second motion, that the Terms of Call for the Rev. Lee be approved. (you will receive the Terms of Call in the mailing mentioned above.)

11:30 am  Fellowship Potluck Lunch (following the meeting)
All are welcome to gather for lunch in Fellowship Hall. Ham, rolls and beverages will be provided. Please bring a salad, side or dessert to share. Call the church office ASAP to reserve your place so that we may be prepared for all who join us. (502) 425-1760 or email [email protected].

Rev. Dwain Lee, candidate for Installed Pastor of Springdale Presbyterian Church

​Meet Rev. Dwain Lee

Rev. Dwain Lee is a Minister of Word and Sacrament who has recently completed serving as the Interim Pastor of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Auburn, New York. Before that, he was the pastor for Congregational Care and Youth of Worthington Presbyterian Church in Worthington, Ohio, and an Associate Chaplain serving Riverside Methodist Hospital and Grant Medical Center, both in the Columbus metropolitan area. While attending seminary, he served as a Commissioned Lay Pastor to the Frankfort Presbyterian Church in Frankfort, Ohio.

He attended Pittsburgh Theological Seminary and is a graduate of Trinity Lutheran Seminary, in Columbus. Originally a native of southwestern Pennsylvania, he completed undergraduate studies in architecture at the Pennsylvania State University. Before entering ordained ministry, he was an architect in private practice, having operated his own architectural firm for twenty years.. He is also a former President and Chairman of the Board of Montaña de Luz, an orphanage in Honduras for children living with HIV/AIDS.

.Dwain has two daughters - Erica, a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America who is currently living and working in Columbus; and Andrea, an undergraduate student at Franklin University in Lugano, Switzerland, where she is majoring in History and French.

Dwain is engaged to his partner, George Yu, an internationally-known, award-winning violin maker currently based in Toronto. Formerly a Systems Engineer, George is also a talented violinist, as well as a member of the Canadian Men's Chorus. He will be relocating to Louisville as soon as is practical after regulatory issues with regard to immigration have been completed.

Rev. Dwain Lee