PNC Updates:
September 15, 2021
Dear Northampton Presbyterian Church Family:
It is with great joy that we, your Pastor Nominating Committee, announce the
Reverend Judith (Judy) Dwyer as our candidate for Senior Pastor and Head of Staff.
It has been an honor to be entrusted with this important, sacred work, and we have felt the weight of your collective hopes and prayers. That is why we could not be any more certain that Rev. Dwyer is the person God has in mind to lead Northampton Presbyterian Church into its next chapter.
We looked for someone who is a leader and who can help us discern the future God has planned for us. We were looking for someone who can inspire us to love each other and our neighbors well. Ultimately, we were looking for someone who can help us fulfill our potential for putting some good into the world. We have found that someone in Rev. Dwyer.
We were enamored by Rev. Dwyer’s ability to teach and preach, crafting sermons that are engaging, that challenge us to think, and that show us how Scripture is relevant to our lives. Her history of helping a church identify its core mission and vision, and building programs devoted to that vision, would be invaluable to Northampton as we go through an important period of change. In all our discussions with her, her ability to relate God’s love to others as they go through life’s difficulties, which she gained from her time as chaplain, was very evident. We were impressed with stories shared by her references that illustrate she is a pastor of great heart, with an endless capacity to love the people within the church and those outside it. And when we had the opportunity to meet her in person, we were convinced that we had found someone who we felt was the perfect fit.
The Dwyer Family
Rev. Judy earned her MA in Pastoral Counseling from LaSalle University and her MDiv at Princeton Theological Seminary, which she entered after serving Abington Presbyterian Church as the Director of Pastoral Ministries for several years. A board-certified chaplain, Judy has served a continuing care retirement community in Doylestown and in transitional positions at Grace Presbyterian Church in Jenkintown and most recently at Calvary Presbyterian, Wyncote where she served for 4 years. She enjoys “substitute” preaching (pulpit supply) when time allows; has directed Christian education programs for adults and children and leads retreats. Rev. Judy holds family time as precious and enjoys reading detective novels, singing, swimming and traveling. She and husband John are delighted to be the parents of three grown children and five “grands” who grow them younger every day!
Earlier this month, we shared with you the schedule of events for Rev. Dwyer’s candidacy weekend. You are invited to attend a meet-and-greet reception for the Dwyer family on Saturday, October 2nd, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Rev. Dwyer will preach her candidacy sermon on Sunday, October 3rd, during the service of worship at 10:00 a.m. Immediately following the service, the congregation will hear the report from the Pastor Nominating Committee and will vote to approve the call of Rev. Dwyer as the fifth Pastor of Northampton Presbyterian Church. Following this meeting, we will host a luncheon in Fellowship Hall.
If the way be clear, Rev. Dwyer will begin her tenure at Northampton on October 10th.
We hope you will join us in welcoming Rev. Dwyer and her family to NPC on October 2nd!
With Love in Christ,
The Northampton Presbyterian Church Pastor Nominating Committee:
Steve Cocchia; Kathy Hurwitz; Corinne Kauermann; Helen Mercer; Joe Rawson;
Jane Smith; and Dana Winslow (Chair)
View the attached brochure
Candidacy Weekend Events at Northampton Presbyterian Church
Saturday, October 2nd:
Meet & Greet Reception: 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.
Sunday, October 3rd:
Worship with Candidacy Sermon: 10:00 a.m.
Congregational Meeting: Immediately following worship
Luncheon: Immediately following the Congregational Meeting