JARVIS—Jarvis Community Church celebrated the first Sunday of Advent with their new minister, Rev. Charmain Sebestyen, leading worship.
Advent in the Christian church is a time of waiting, but for Jarvis Community Church their wait for the arrival of their new minister ended on November 25, 2024 when Sebestyen began her call in Jarvis.
The Search Team began their work seven months earlier, shortly after Rev. Kim Shantz announced her retirement. The team considered dozens of prospective United and Presbyterian church ministers, and in October issued a call to Rev. Sebestyen. Rev. Gary Patterson served the congregation in the interim.
Sebestyen served several Presbyterian congregations in Hamilton and, following her move to Port Dover in 2020, she also served Knox Presbyterian Church in Port Dover and St. Andrews Presbyterian Church in Hagersville. Sebestyen has many friends in both communities and is excited to begin her new full-time call in the Jarvis community.
Rev. Sebestyen grew up in the United Church, and following marriage attended Knox College for her Master of Divinity training and was ordained in the Presbyterian Church of Canada.
Jarvis Community Church is an ecumenical shared ministry by Wesley United Church and Knox Presbyterian Church operating from the facilities at 19 Church Street in Jarvis.
