'SHARED MINISTRY' BEGINS
Protestant churches join forces, share pastor

The Rev. Evon McJunkin

Two of Coudersport's mainstream Protestant churches have joined forces to sponsor a shared pastor.

Each congregation was seeking to fill a vacancy in the pulpit after the Rev. Deana Armstrong, Presbyterian, and the Rev. Joe Wolf, Lutheran, relocated. Financial limitations prompted leaders of both churches to begin discussions about a shared ministry.

Late last year, both congregations approved the plan by near-unanimous votes.

As a result, the Rev. Evon McJunkin of Port Allegany, was installed during services held Dec. 30 at the First United Presbyterian Church.

Worship schedules for the two churches have been revised. The Presbyterian worship service is now held each Sunday at 9:45 a.m., followed by Sunday School at 11 am. St. Paul's Lutheran is holding worship services at 8 am and again at 11:15 am, with Sunday School at 9:45 am.

Rev. McJunkin said the arrangement has worked well, since each congregation is supportive and the two denominations have similar foundations and rituals.

"We focus on the things we have in common, but retain in each church those things that are unique to that congregation," she pointed out.

Occasionally, the two congregations will come together for joint services and other activities.

Rev. McJunkin's husband, Paul, is an elder in the Presbyterian Church USA. She was ordained in 1987 as a minister of word and sacrament in the Presbyterian Church (USA) and has served churches for 20 years in Pennsylvania, Ohio and Kansas. Her most recent assignments were in Port Allegany and Olean, N.Y. She is a rostered leader in the Synod of Northwestern Pa. Evangelical Lutheran Church of America.