Welcome REV. NELSON T. THAYER – Pastoral Appointment to Grace UMC On Sunday, May 5th, Cindy Fultz announced to the congregation the appointment of the next pastor, the Rev Nelson T. Thayer. His appointment will begin July 1st following completion of the Rev Dr John D Miller’s ministry with Grace UMC.
Nelson, and wife Linda, come with an amazing array of gifts and experiences in ministry. After serving 40 years as a Pastor in the WPAUMC, Nelson retired in 2016. A graduate of IUP (BA) and Wesley Theological Seminary (MDiv), he also completed five units (2,000 hours of clinical supervision) of Clinical Pastoral Education. While serving local churches, Nelson also served as a staff Chaplain at Cumberland (MD) Memorial and West Penn (Pittsburgh) Hospitals, volunteered as an ambulance EMT, helped to found a Meals-on-Wheels program, built houses with Habitat for Humanity, served as a Mission Ambassador to Southern Africa (Republic of South Africa, Namibia, and Zimbabwe), co-founded and directed the Mission Barn (a charter member of the UMCOR Relief Supply Network), chaired several Conference committees, and sang in multiple choirs and community choruses. He currently chairs the WPA UM Commission on Archives and History. He and his wife, Linda Thayer, are parents to 3 children (and 2 grandchildren) and currently live in Franklin, PA.
Welcome Luncheon
A welcome luncheon for Nelson and his wife, Linda, was well-attended in Asbury Hall on July 21, 2024 after the Worship Service.