HIGHLAND PARK UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
HIGHLAND PARK UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
When I was a little girl my mother worked as the pre-school director at Socastee UMC and my father was the adult Sunday school teacher. They were on committees and in choirs and I was always at church. And there wasn’t always something for me to do. So I, and sometimes other children, would be sent to the Sanctuary to do homework, or read or otherwise entertain ourselves. So we did. Being a gymnast at the time, I would do cartwheels down the aisle, and we would play hide and seek under the pews — I am certain I could still find every correct light switch in the building on the first try. We made ourselves at home. And when I was in the church alone, I would lay on the floor at the foot of the altar and stare up at the cross in the ceiling of the sanctuary and pray.
I was so at home with God that these moments are the first time I realized a “I cannot live without this” feeling. I am still that little girl in my heart. I come to in service of a God that I am at home with, and I am committed to sharing that love with you. In fact I became a pastor because I learned there were people that didn’t feel at home with God or in a church, and I wanted to help change that.
I hope to be a part of making Highland Park feel like home for you, and more important, helping you feel at home with the Lord. I also want you to feel at home with me, like we are part of a family. I come to Florence a native of Murrells Inlet, SC. I am one half of a clergy couple, my husband, Rev. Rusty Crimm is the pastor of Trinity UMC in Darlington. Rusty is from Louisville, KY but has adjusted well to South Carolina living. We have one very animated toddler, who is very good at being at home in church world and can give you any pointers you might need.
My faith journey has led me to many different places. After graduating from Wofford College I attended Duke Divinity School where I received my Masters in Divinity. I began pastoring full time at the age of 25 serving several congregations in low country South Carolina before being appointment at Highland Park. I have studied abroad in Indonesia and completed a ministry internship in Uganda and so far, whether in SC, or KY, or NC, or Bali, or Kasana Luweero, or any other place I have traveled, I have found the people of God, some in need of and some displaying God’s love and I have grown tremendously through that love.
I am thrilled to be in this work with you, to get to know you, and to grow the family of the church together. I am already convinced that we are the hands and feet of Christ and I pray we will follow Him wherever He leads.
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