By John T. Ryan
Peru – On July 1, 2016 Reverend Peggi Eller become pastor of the Peru Community Church succeeding Interim Pastor David Svenson (2015-16) and Pastor Robert Svenson (2003-15). Pastor Peggi’s appointment is of historical note in that she is the church’s first female pastor and its first Methodist pastor since 1962. The Peru Community Church includes both Methodist and Presbyterian congregations. From 1962 to 2016, the pastors were ordained Presbyterian ministers.
Pastor Peggi is accustomed to change. Educated as an electrical engineer, her 2009 ordination followed a twenty-seven year defense industry career. She didn’t become a Christian until her early 40’s. She said, “I was not churched as a child or young adult. In 1998 I was working for IBM in Owego, NY. I wanted to enroll my two children in a Catholic School. They said the children had to be baptized, so I began to explore religion. The Methodist Church was the most closely aligned with my outlook. Then God started to work very quickly.” Over the next few years Peggi became active in her local church and by 2006 she recognized a call to the ministry. Prior to being assigned to the Peru Community Church she pastored two churches in Oneonta.
Introducing young people and families to Christianity and the Peru Community Church will definitely be one of Pastor Peggi’s priorities. She explained, “I will try to reach people who are unchurched. About 30% of Peru’s residents label themselves as unchurched. I hope to focus on junior and senior high kids and families with teens.”
Not long after arriving in Peru the pastor struck up a conversation with four teenage boys who were playing Poke ‘man Go at the nearby Little Ausable River Park Gazebo. Before long they asked questions about what goes on in the old stone church. She explained, “We need to go where people are and not expect them to come to us. Bringing people to church typically starts with relationships, with people asking, ‘Why don’t you come to church with us?’ Coming to church is a scary thing for many people.” An evening worship service focused on the unchurched is definitely on her agenda. It hasn’t been scheduled yet, but Pastor Peggi said, “Stay tuned!”
Pastor Peggi has been with impressed the Peru Community Church’s longtime service programs including the Jamaican Mission, Senior High Youth Group, Vacation Bible School and its partnership with the St. Augustine’s Parish community on programs such as the soup kitchen. She said, “I’ve found Peru’s people to be thoughtful, understanding and patient.”
Unfortunately, the Indiana native does have one reservation about the North Country – the Michigan Red Hot! She’s tasted Michigans at two of the local favorite Michigan stands, but hasn’t fallen in love with them. But, as she said, “It takes time to build a relationship.”
These are pastors, interim pastors and parish associates of the Peru Community Church:
The Rev. Paul Hydon – Founding Pastor (United Methodist) 1938-42
The Rev. Robert Thomas – (Methodist) 1942-47
Major William Malpass (Salvation Army) Interim 1947-48
The Rev. Dr. George Morgan (Presbyterian) 1948-52
The Rev. Dimiter Wassen – Interim Pastor 1952-54
The Rev. George Morgan (Presbyterian) 1954-56
The Rev. Melvin McGaughey (Methodist) 1956-62
The Rev. Donald Buddle (Presbyterian) 1962-69
The Rev. Kenneth N. Parker (Presbyterian) 1970-2003
The Rev. Noel Butler (New Zealand Presbyterian) Exchange 1980-81
The Rev. J. David Jones (Canadian Presbyterian) Associate Pastor 1988-93
The Rev. Dr. Robert E. Svenson Presbyterian) Associate Pastor 2003-2003
The Rev. Robert E. Svenson (Presbyterian) Pastor 2003 -2015
The Rev. Jessie Doerrer – Parish Associate (Presbyterian) 2012 -13
The Rev. David Svenson Interim Pastor (Presbyterian) 2015 -2016
The Rev. Peggi Eller (United Methodist) 2016 –
