Mary E. Wilson Union Memorial Church Pastor Retires
Submitted by Nancy Scott
The congregation at Mary E. Wilson Union Memorial Church, located in Watchung, NJ, has bestowed the honorary title of Pastor Emerita upon their beloved senior pastor, Barbara Grace Peters.
The status of Pastor Emerita honors a former pastor for ministry marked by distinguished service. Reverend Peters retired on January 17, 2021 after devoting 25 years to the Wilson Church Family.
Reverend Peters was ordained in 1981 and began her ministry at Wilson in 1996 as a Bible Study Leader. Her role quickly expanded to Associate Pastor, then Senior Pastor upon the retirement of her mentor, Reverend Ron Miller.
While at Wilson, she introduced spiritual practices, contemplative prayer, centering prayer, and meditation. She was instrumental in organizing community and congregational projects and events.
Her final sermon was followed by an emotional zoom coffee hour where congregants gathered to offer their memories, thanks, and good wishes.
Reverend Michael Droege will assume the position of Acting Pastor for a period of one year.
