Announcing our New Director of Youth and Family Ministry

Youth Director Search Announcement

December 10, 2025

Dear FPC Youth, Families, and Congregation,

The Youth Director Search Committee is overjoyed to announce that Rev. Merianna Neely Harrelson has accepted the call to serve as our new Director of Youth and Family Ministry.

Merianna is a minister, teacher, spiritual director, and author with deep roots to Spartanburg. She was born and raised here and is a graduate of both the Spartanburg Day School and Furman University. After teaching overseas following college, she answered a call to ministry and received her Master of Divinity in Pastoral Studies from Gardner-Webb University.

Merianna and her husband Sam, along with their children Mary-Hudson, Laura, Ben, Emmylou and Lily, returned to Spartanburg last year after almost a decade in Columbia. Since moving back they have dived headfirst into the life and ministry of First Presbyterian. In fact, many of you already know Merianna from her work teaching Middle School Sunday School and helping with youth and young adult Bible Studies throughout this fall.

The search committee is unanimous in our belief that Merianna is the exact right person for this moment in our church and youth ministries' history! She brings energy, creativity, imagination, and genuine passion for knowing our young people and helping them grow in faith. We could not be more grateful or more excited for what Merianna's leadership means for our youth and the future of our church!

Merianna is currently working as a 5th-grade teacher at Lone Oak Elementary School. Her official start date with us will be Sunday, May 31. In the meantime, she will be working in a very part-time capacity throughout the winter and spring as she completes her school year. Parents and youth, please stay engaged - your presence and your volunteer support are essential both now and as we build for the future. Exciting days are ahead, and we want you to be a part of all that God is unfolding in our youth ministry!

Finally, youth families are invited to mark your calendars and join us for a meet-and-greet with Merianna on Sunday, January 11, at 6PM. More details to come!

Thank you again for all of your prayers, input, and presence throughout this process. We have felt God's Spirit at work from the beginning. Stay tuned for further updates, including news about a newly created Associate Director of Youth and Family Ministry that we hope to share soon. The future of FPC is bright!

The Youth Director Search Committee,

Molly Colbath (Chair)

Alan Dyer

Vic Bailey

Lee Jenkins

A Note From Rev. Alan Dyer

Dear Youth and Families:

As we share this joyful news, I want to offer a personal word of gratitude and encouragement. Over the past year or so, I have had the privilege of getting to know Merianna and seeing ﬁrsthand the depth of her faith, the warmth of her presence, and the clarity of her call to walk alongside young people and their families. Many of you have already witnessed her gifts through her leadership as a Sunday School teacher, where her compassion and creativity have been a blessing to our youth.

Our youth ministry has navigated many transitions in recent years. Seasons of change can be challenging, but they also create space for new vision and renewed energy to take root. I believe wholeheartedly that with Merianna’s leadership we are entering a season marked by stability, imagination, and deep care for our young people and their families.

Friends, I am so profoundly grateful for the faithful work of our search committee and for the steady prayers of all of our families and congregation as a whole throughout the process. And I am deeply hopeful for all that lies ahead as we welcome Merianna into this role and continue to grow together in Christ’s love.

Peace,

Alan