411 E Superior St
Wayland, MI 49348
USA
The community is invited to attend the installation service of Pastor Bonnie Simerly to serve as pastor to the United Church of Wayland at 11 a.m. Sunday, April 30, at the church, 411 E. Superior St.
The service will be officiated by the. Rev. Eugene James, regional minister of the Christian Church Disciples of Christ.
Simerly graduated from Lexington Theological Seminary in Kentucky. Her first position was as a hospital chaplain which she held until she was called in 2012 to serve as pastor at Grace Disciples of Christ Church in Covington, La., near New Orleans. The church and its congregation was heavily impacted by Hurricane Katrina and never fully recovered.
Prior to serving in the ministry, she was educated as a social worker, holding positions in that field as well as a health care administrator. She had a private practice in psychotherapy for many of those years.
Originally from Michigan, Bonnie earned her undergraduate degree at Adrian College and she said is delighted to be returning to her roots. She still has one family member living in the Detroit area.