TLDR: Following the retirement of Jerre Bergeron as Director of Pastoral Care after nine years of faithful service, the Rector has named Cathy Sullivant to this role. Please read on for more information.
Cathy needs no introduction. She has been deeply involved in Saint Dunstan’s ministries for many years and is well known to most parishioners. For the past three years, Cathy has served on the Pastoral Care leadership team under Jerre’s guidance. Because of this, she is well positioned to step into this role without interruption to the ministry.
Cathy is an organized leader with excellent judgment, a good grasp of technology, and strong interpersonal skills. More importantly, she loves the Lord and she loves the people of Saint Dunstan’s. Under her leadership, our pastoral care ministries will continue to be a steady and reliable source of comfort, prayer, and presence for those in need within our parish.
There are several challenges that naturally arise when naming a new leader to follow someone who served so faithfully for so long. One is the expectation, often unspoken, that the new leader will respond to ministry and to life in exactly the same ways as the former leader. This is a mistake. Each of us brings unique gifts to ministry, and those gifts are not meant to be identical.
In that sense, the word “replace” is misleading. We are not replacing Jerre. We are filling the position she held. Cathy will bring her own skills, strengths, and insights, and she will shape the ministry in ways that reflect who she is and how God has gifted her.
Another challenge has to do with what I call “relational reserves.” Over nearly ten years, Jerre built deep relationships with parishioners, clergy, and pastoral care volunteers. She earned trust over time, and as a result, she was often the first-person people contacted during moments of crisis. People knew her, trusted her, and relied on her wisdom.
Although Cathy already has many strong relationships within our parish, it will take time for her to build these additional levels of trust in this new role. This is not a weakness; it is simply how relationships work. Trust and credibility are accumulated slowly, through presence, listening, and faithful response. Cathy will build these reserves, but she will need our patience and our support as she does so.
My recommendation is simple: when pastoral needs arise, call her or email her. Give her the opportunity to listen, to respond, and to engage the appropriate people and systems within our church. Cathy is a quick learner and a deeply empathetic listener. Just talk to her.
I once had a friend who liked to say, “Some of us are bakers, and some of us know where to find the best bread in town.” Cathy will do some things differently than Jerre, not because one way is better than the other, but because they are different people with different personalities, strengths, and instincts. Sometimes Cathy will come to see you herself. At other times, she will send a member of the pastoral care team or a member of the clergy. Either way, you will not be forgotten. The church will continue to be a real presence in your family’s life.
Pastoral care has never been the work of a single person. It is a shared ministry, carried by volunteers, clergy, and lay leaders, all working together for the sake of Christ’s people. Cathy understands this well. She knows when to step in and when to invite others to step forward. Do not expect her to be everywhere at once or to be all things to all people. Do expect her to make sure that care happens for you and your family.
We give thanks for Jerre’s years of faithful service, and we ask your prayers for Cathy as she begins this new chapter. Please join us at the reception we are planning to celebrate Jerre’s ministry and to welcome Cathy. The corrected date is Sunday, February 15th, from 4:00-6:00pm at the Price Fellowship Hall. If you would like to contribute towards this celebration, please bring some wine to share.
May we, as a parish, be generous with our trust, patient in transition, and committed to caring for one another in love. Blessings to all,
Fr. Roman+
