McDowell Presbyterian Church & Headwaters
Chapel
|
|
|
Highland County Community Calendar Highland County Public Library The Recorder (local newspaper) McDowell Volunteer Fire Department Highland County Chamber of Commerce
|
ABOUT OUR PASTOR Elizabeth A. Pyles (Beth), is a transplanted West Virginian who absolutely refuses to let us tell any West Virginia jokes. Beth came to McDowell & Headwaters September 1, 2006. She is 54 years old and has three children and a grandson, in whom she takes great delight. The McDowell & Headwaters pastorate is part-time, allowing Beth to continue her work as a Reservist with Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT) two months a year. When with CPT, Beth works towards the reduction of violence in Iraq. Back home, Beth enjoys the peace and beauty which surround us here in the Virginia Highlands. Beth practiced law for 22 years in West Virginia before attending seminary in Princeton, New Jersey, where she graduated in 2005. Beth's faith journey has taken her from a secure life in West Virginia to a new calling, a new home and a new life. Check out what Beth's up to - become her friend on Facebook (Beth Pyles).
A LETTER FROM BETH I have learned so much since coming to McDowell -- that learning how to navigate in 4-wheel drive is a scary, but necessary skill, that 'Pounding the Preacher'* is not as dangerous as it sounds, that lady bugs do not bring good luck, that ants and other critters who shall remain nameless are reputed not to care for cayenne pepper, that you can practically watch wisteria growing, that cracking hickory nuts is only for the skilled as well as the strong, and that some people will always eat their lamb with ketchup. But I have also learned that the sound of the river at night is the sound of God's lullaby, that in the best of congregations, the pastor is ministered to as much as ministering, that the cross of Jesus is borne on many a wrinkled face, without complaint, that garden-grown vegetables are a gift to be craved and prized, that creation is never to be taken for granted, and that life in the small church is alive and well and flourishing. I can't wait to see what I'll learn next! God's peace & grace, Pastor Beth *Pounding the Preacher is a long-standing tradition of congregations around here of providing the preacher with a good start, each congregant donating a pound of food and supplies. |
Send mail to
beth.pyles@gmail.com with
questions or comments about this web site.
|
