Many of you are likely asking “What’s next?” after Pastor Jessica’s departure, so we wanted to have an easy resource for the congregation to see what they can expect and to have easily accessible updates.  

First, know that your Session has been busy preparing and shaping what the next few weeks and months will look like until we welcome an interim pastor.  The anticipated next steps for worship, administration, plans for an interim, and some frequently asked questions will be addressed.  Please understand that thing are subject to change as the transition will be inherently fluid.  In addition to this page, updates will also be communicated via our Weekend Resources email which is sent every Friday and posted to our Facebook page.

The Personnel Team is happy to announce the Rev. Dr. Steve Wilson as our new interim pastor!  Steve officially began his ministry with Sampson’s Mills today, November 19th. 

Please keep in mind that Steve will be serving us in a part-time capacity. In addition to his time with us on Sundays, he will be in the office at least twice a week. As he begins his ministry here, Steve will be making the rounds to many activities, meetings and events, while also ministering during Advent! His schedule may seem a bit irregular as he makes every effort to see all that makes SMPC special.

Please be sure to email steve@sampsonsmills.org for any pastoral needs.

We will get to know Steve more in the coming weeks, but for now, here’s a brief introduction:

Steve was born and raised in Alton, Illinois. After his undergraduate degree from Blackburn College, he received a Master of Divinity degree from Princeton Theological Seminary (1982) and a Doctor of Ministry degree from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary (2000).  Steve began ministry serving in rural Clearfield County, Pennsylvania (1982-1988) and then served 35 years in Oakmont, Pennsylvania.  He has been active in Pittsburgh Presbytery since coming into the presbytery in 1988 and currently serves on the Presbytery’s Commission on Ministry, which supports congregations and pastors, and promotes peace and harmony in churches.                                                              Steve and his wife, Diane, live in Natrona Heights, Pennsylvania. Diane is a music minister at St. Richard’s Church in Gibsonia. Their blended family consists of four sons, three daughters-in-law, four grandsons and two granddaughters. Steve enjoys riding bicycles with Diane, reading, writing poems and working occasionally at his son’s dog daycare in Verona.

The Personnel Team is happy to report that things have been moving forward and we are on track to have a temporary pastor in place by the Advent season.

Further details will be forthcoming, but please know that the Session members have been hard at work during this time of transition.

Thanks to Elder Teresa Trich and the Worship team for ensuring pulpit supply is fulfilled during this time.