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Longswamp United Church of Christ, 9 a.m., Aug. 29, 2010

A breath of fresh air for Longswamp UCC

Special points
of interest
• A lot of energy
• A sharp mind
• A healthy curiosity
• Capacity to get things
organized
• Understands church
finances
• Loves to read and
study the Bible
Background
Harrogate Grammar School,
England
Women’s Royal Army Corps,
York, England
University of Liverpool
Kingsmead College, England—
Missionary Training
Lancaster Theological Seminary
(1985)
Princeton Theological Seminary
(1999) Doctor of Ministry degree
Penn Northeast Conference—
Two terms on Board of Directors
Executive Director, Congrega-
tions United for Neighborhood
Action, Allentown, PA
Pastor Kathy Brearley lik-
ens herself to Joseph and
his coat of many colors.
Like Joseph, she lived in
three very different places.
She grew up in many
places in England, worked
for five years as a mission-
ary teacher in Zambia, and
since 1984 has lived in the
Lehigh Valley. She
says the experiences
have made her an
open and flexible
person with lots of
stories for sermon
illustrations.
Like Joseph, she has
learned to be at
peace wherever
God places her. Her
original high-paying Search committee chair Vern Shade
job left her spiritually welcomes Pastor Kathy Brearley.
empty. She gave it up
to teach high school math in tual, warm, friendly, witty,
a rural area of Zambia. It
Sharing a love of ministry, gardening and bird watching
Pastor Kathy is a British
citizen, born in the city of
Chester, England. She and
her husband Rev. Tom Tho-
mas met when they were
missionaries working in
Zambia, Africa, and they
were married in Zambia in
1980. They are the par-
ents of four adult sons.
Jerry (32) and Matt (30)
were a special needs
adoption, and they no
was here that she became
spiritually rich. “Since that
time I have always viewed
my work through God’s
eyes. Everything I do for
God is important,” she
says.
Other people have de-
scribed her as a very spiri-
outgoing, organized, ac-
longer live at home. Their
birth son, Morgan (23) is
working to complete his
degree at East Strouds-
burg. Their son Owen (21)
died tragically this April.
Her parents, Hazel and
Michael, and her brother
and sister live in England.
Pastor Tom is the senior
pastor of Union UCC,
Neffs, where he has served
for 26 years.
cepting, loving, kind-
hearted lady who keeps
the mission of the UCC as
her focal point. “She is
extremely good at praying
for people when they need
prayers, spiritual, and
emotional support. She is a
great leader and encour-
ages others to reach their
potential .”
The Search
Committee was
impressed with
her obvious
deep faith and
her potential for
breathing a
“breath of fresh
air” into our
church . We
wholeheartedly
endorse her call to
ministry at Longswamp
UCC.
Pastor Kathy and her hus-
band live in the Parkland
area. They are avid gar-
deners and enjoy bird
watching and hiking. Pastor
Kathy has a love of history,
and likes to read mystery
and historical novels. She
likes all food except red
beets and liver! Shoofly
pie and corn pie are her
favorite PA Dutch treats.