Rev. Dr. Sharlyn DeHaven Gates
Retirement Party
April 28, 2019

Rev. Dr. Sharlyn DeHaven Gates celebrated her retirement on April 28, 2019 after 23 years as a pastor in the Presbyterian Church (USA). She has served in ministries in Minnesota, North Carolina, Tennessee, Kansas and Michigan in positions which included hospital chaplain, international director of a youth movement with The Upper Room and pastor in three churches, including a little over eight years as the Pastor of the Holly Presbyterian Church.

The congregation first had an opportunity to meet Rev. Sharlyn during a reception hosted by the church’s Pastor Nominating Committee (PNC) on January 15, 2011.  The PNC had given glowing reports after having screened over a hundred potential candidates and the congregation found her to be very warm and friendly. The following day the congregation voted unanimously to call Rev. Sharlyn to be our new pastor and she accepted. She led her first Worship service here on Sunday, March 6, and on Sunday, April 10, she was officially installed as our pastor.

Rev. Sharlyn conducted her last Worship service in Holly on April 28, 2019 before retiring.  (Click here to view the worship service video -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3rJYZFkk0c0&feature=youtu.be – and here to view the Pastor Appreciation Video -- https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=157698418512578 -- be sure to turn on the sound.)

Following the service, she was joined by family, members of the congregation and friends in Fellowship Hall for a luncheon of the usual good food and fellowship to celebrate her retirement.

Rev. Dr. Sharlyn DeHaven Gates was a wonderful friend, as well as our much loved spiritual leader, and will be greatly missed by this congregation.