In the early days of Sojourners (long before
that name was adopted) members and friends took turns providing the music,
scripture readings, prayers and activities for the children. This precedent
lead to an ongoing tradition of active participation on the part of the
congregation in the development and leadership of our common worship life.
There are no strictly rhetorical questions from the pulpit at Sojourners
because many members of the congregation are very comfortable answering
them out loud (it's encouraged!). So, "leadership" comes from
all levels of the Sojourners community. But here are the more-or-less
official ones:
Melanie
Miller
Pastor
The Rev. Dr. Melanie Miller
joined Sojourners November 20, 2011 and began as the church's called pastor,
November 21.
The
Rev. Dr. Melanie Dawn Miller came to Charlottesville from White
Plains, NY. The Rev. Dr. Miller served as the sole pastor at The
Church of the Highlands UCC in White Plains, NY, for the past four
years. Earlier, she served as the Associate Minister for Families at
First Congregational United Church of Christ in Chappaqua, NY and was
Pastor of East Eddington Community Church in Maine. She holds a
Bachelor’s degree from the University of Maine, a Master of Divinity
degree from Bangor Theological Seminary, also in Maine, and a Doctor of
Ministry degree from Drew University in Madison, NJ.
In White Plains, the Rev. Miller
worked closely with the White Plains Youth Bureau, served on the board
of the White Plains Sustainability and Environmental Enhancement Committee,
and hosted a Cable Access program entitled, “Views From the Pews.” For
relaxation, the Rev. Miller enjoys mountain climbing, running and hiking.
Jim Gibson
Co-moderator
Jim came to Charlottesville in 1972 to attend the University of Virginia.
Within a few hours he ran into (literally!) Pamela Hill on a stairway in Dobie
Dorm. There was an umbrella involved and a torn pair of corduroy pants
that would eventually take shape as a charming bit of family folklore. Four
decades and three children later Jim and Pam are still an item. Along the way
Jim received his degree—with distinction—in English (it only took 23 years!).
When he wasn’t studying, he was designing, a skill he had learned from his
mother who always had a studio in the home. Jim is now president of Gibson
Design Associates, doing graphic design, web design, and user interface design
for clients like Monticello, National Geographic, The University of Virginia,
The Library of Congress, Pearson Education, and McGraw-Hill. Jim was unchurched
as a youth, and first engaged the Bible in his late 20s. He soon began
attending church where it seemed to him that a whole crowd of people reciting
things together, and then all jumping up and sitting down at the same time was
a bit peculiar. Very soon he was comfortable doing these things himself. He has
been attending Sojourners United Church of Christ almost from its founding and
enjoys singing tenor in the choir.
Mary Sherrill
Co-moderator
She started off in Pittsburgh; grew up in Massachusetts.
Mary graduated with her RN,
B
SN from Northeastern University in Boston and
went into a profession that she had chosen back in 1963. A few years after
graduation she took her nursing knowledge to join the ranks of the US Air Force.
She realized after being referred to as "government property," that she
didn't want that either.
So, she looked around to see what state she was going to
have the AF send her household goods to on her return to the east coast. Ahhh, Virginia!
After a brief visit to NoVa, she determined back in 1976 that she would one day
return to live in "Virgini." And so, she mosied on down here 27 years ago,
directed a few spiritual retreat
s & met Clint after one of those retreat
weekends. Blind date -- best of her life -- and now they have two terrific young, good
friends whom they named Kyle and Maggie. Best decision ever -- Clint's wife, and
the kids' mom -- she has truly been blessed. And so, she looks forward to
blessing others.