Editor’s note: This press release was provided by the Community Church of the Pelhams. The Pelham Examiner publishes press releases in the form received as a service to the community.

The Community Church of the Pelhams invites the greater Pelham community to its 5pm Christmas Eve service on December 24.  The service is both live, and available on Zoom.

Christmas Eve will be the final service led by Rev. Noel Vanek, the church’s pastor the last nine years, who retires on Dec. 31^st.  When asked what he will take away from his years pastoring in Pelham “Pastor Noel” replied, “I will remember all the fine civic minded people I worked with in the Pelham community, especially in the context of working as a volunteer with Pelham Together and the Pelham Interfaith Council. I will remember the broad diversity of our congregation’s membership and the deep faith they have brought to church life. I will remember and be grateful to you all.”

Once Pastor Noel departs the church will begin a formal pastoral search, which can take a long time. In the meantime, Rev. Dr. Lillian Reynolds has agreed to be the congregation’s Regular Supply Pastor. Rev. Dr. Lillian F. Reynolds has served at the Community Church of the Pelhams in the capacity of being the church’s professional Sunday School teacher for the children since October 2016. She currently works as districtwide McKinney-Vento Liaison for the Mt. Vernon City School District, providing services to students in temporary housing.  She has been a Social Worker for 39 years and an Ordained Minister for 13 years.  She and her husband Rodney J. Reynolds have been married for 39 years and they are the proud parents of two sons, two daughters in love, one granddaughter and two grandsons. She looks forward to working with the Community Church and the Pelham community!

The Community Church is located at 448 Washington Avenue, at the corner of Highbrook and Washington Avenues. The 5pm Christmas Eve service is child friendly and includes a time for the pastor to re-tell the story of Jesus’ birth to children. All are welcome.  If you would like to attend by Zoom the link is here:  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89845016354