Pastor Ally Announces New Call

Dear Beloved Community,

As many of you have heard, my husband Jacob and I have accepted a call to be the co-pastors of First Presbyterian Church in Rocky Mount, North Carolina.

When I first prepared to move to South Carolina, I carried with me an overwhelming sense of uncertainty. I often joked that I did not think my West Coast-loving heart could possibly find a home here. If you had told me then that I would one day find it so hard to say goodbye, that even the mere thought of it would bring me to tears, I’m not sure I would have believed you.

But of course, at that time, I hadn’t yet met you. I didn’t yet know that God would call me here, to this church, a place I have come to love with my whole heart. I hadn’t yet experienced the ways you would welcome me, support me, challenge me, inspire me, laugh with me, pray with me, and invite me into your lives. What a gift it has been to be a part of this community and to walk with you through the everyday sacredness of ministry.

Serving as your associate pastor has been a joy and honor. I believe that I have grown as a minister and as a person of faith because of you. I give praise to God for the opportunity to serve here. I am especially grateful for Will’s steady guidance and mentorship, for our gifted and dedicated staff, and for the unwavering love and commitment of this congregation. You have reminded me, time and time again, why I believe so deeply in the power and promise of the local church to make God’s love visible in the world. I have seen this love embodied in your attentiveness to the community, your commitment to care for one another, and in the countless ways you strive to live out the gospel in both word and deed.

As impossible as this goodbye seems, Jacob and I feel confident that God is calling us to something new. This opportunity was not something we sought out, but we have learned that the Spirit often leads us in surprising and unplanned directions. In Rocky Mount, we have found a church that, much like you, is loving, welcoming, and deeply committed to caring for one another and the larger community. We have also found a calling that allows us to serve together and to build a shared ministry, which feels exciting and full of possibility. Know that we are leaving not because anything is missing here, but simply because God is moving and we are called to follow.

You have given me the most wonderful place to land for my first call and for that I am eternally grateful. I will miss you all dearly.

In gratitude and love,

Ally

"Transition"

We are in a time of transition. I wish I had a dollar for every time I have heard these words or something similar. Everywhere you go it seems people are “navigating transition,” “transitioning to a new model,” or “transitioning to something better.” Nothing seems truer than the saying, “the only constant is change.” It is interesting that so many of us resist change so strenuously, when it is the very nature of our living. We want things to stay the same because it gives us a sense of control. But that is not the only reason. When transition means saying goodbye to someone we love, it is not losing control that we fear, it is relationship. And this is a very good reason to fear change.

Over the next few weeks we will be saying goodbye to Pastor Ally Pexa, whom we have come to love. I think I speak for all of us when I say, “I don’t like it one bit”. She has quickly become a beloved member of this community and has made a deep impact on the lives of so many of us. She is a gifted pastor, a trusted confidant, a wonderful colleague and friend, and we will miss her dearly.

At the same time, we should honor and celebrate the calls that God gives us. We should be diligent in our prayers for Ally and her husband, Jacob, as they “navigate this transition” to serving together as co-pastors at First Presbyterian Church in Rocky Mount, NC. And we should also give thanks and praise for Ally’s wonderful ministry among us and all the ways she has touched our lives. And on September 21, Ally’s last Sunday with us, we will do just that. I encourage you all to join us as we celebrate her ministry at First Greer. More details will follow in the coming weeks.

Change and transition are difficult, especially when it means saying goodbye to someone you love. But this does not mark the end of our relationship with Ally because the ties that bind us together in Christian love do so forever. And for this we offer our thanks and praise to our ever-faithful God.

Grace and Peace,

Will

Youth Group Field Trip!!

When: September 14th from 2:00-4:30 pm

Where: Pick up and drop off at Flying Rabbit located at 821 Laurens Road in Greenville

Who: Middle and Senior High School Students

Cost: $15 per student~Scholarships Are Available

RSVP to Pastor Ally by September 7th!!

Mark your calendars for these upcoming retreats!

Thank you to everyone who participated in or attended Foothills Presbytery's First Annual HymnFest at John Knox Presbyterian Church on August 24th!

If you would like to view the livestream of the HymnFest, you can view it here:

https://www.youtube.com/live/SJGuwUFFidI?si=kwVZ-PLH3cP7dj_T

“One and Done” Handbell Opportunity! All ages and skill levels are invited to play bells for one hour and then ring for worship. No experience needed. Join us on September 21 from 1:00 to 2:00 in the bell room for rehearsal. We will ring in 11:00 worship on September 28. Please RSVP to Lisa Dillard by September 14th.

Save the date! Any children participating in Kids Connection this Fall are invited to play percussion in worship on October 5th for World Communion Sunday. 

Upcoming Fellowship Opportunities

Luanne Baker

Anne Helton

Beverly House

Carol & John McClimon

Leanna McCord

Dave Macer

Grayson Marpes

Nick Nicholson

LibAnn Smith

Stacia Smith

Susan Solomon

To the wonderful members of FPC Greer - thank you to all who sent cards and texts, provided meals, and lifted prayers. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts! We truly believe that all the prayers helped Leanna to heal. We are so grateful that she is still with us and is able to be back in worship with our church family.

Our love to all, Thad and Leanna McCord

To the members of FPC Greer - I am deeply grateful for all the meaningful expressions of love and for the lovely memorial service for my mother, Joan White. What sweet memories I have to keep! Most sincerely, Kimberly White Gilmore

Dear FPCG Family,

Thank you, thank you for the fun and thoughtful gift box given to me on the day of my ordination at Roswell Presbyterian Church! The cards, letters, words of encouragement, and wooden cross all mean so much to me and I’m continually grateful for the ways you all love and support my call to ministry. Many blessings to you all and God bless. Love, Reverend Victoria Robinson

FPC Greer Financial Summary



Year to Date Actual Income

as of 07/31/2025 = $520,307.00

Year to Date Budgeted Income

as of 07/31/2025 = $515,225.00

Variance = +$5,083.00

Thank you for your generous support of the mission and ministry

of FPC Greer!

The next issue of First News is September 30. If you have content for the newsletter, please email it to Lisa Johnson at lisaj@fpcgreer.org by Monday, September 29.