6 minute read
SHIRLEY NORRIS
Welcome
REV. LEAH QUARLES
This Fall Pinnacle will celebrate and welcome the Reverend Leah Quarles as Associate Pastor for Family Ministries & Congregational Life.
For the past decade, Leah served as the solo Pastor of The Anchor Presbyterian Church in Wrightstown, Pennsylvania.
Before entering seminary, Leah served as a missionary with Foundation for Peace in the Dominican Republic and Haiti.
A native of Pennsylvania, Leah who is from Yardley, comes from a large family with two older sisters and two younger brothers. She earned a BS in Science Education from Temple University and her Master of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary. She and her husband, Justin, will celebrate their third wedding anniversary in late October, and the couple have one daughter, Christine, who they call “Teenie” and an adorable Boxer named Evie.
In early July, Leah and Justin flew into Phoenix to spend a few days touring the area, visiting the campus, meeting with members of the search committee, Session, pastors and, of course, staff.
Throughout those busy agendapacked days, visiting candidates ask many questions to help them learn more about this ministry and answer countless questions to help others understand more about them, their background and how they envision serving at Pinnacle.
The author of this article often asks three questions of visiting candidates; Are you a dog or cat person? Do you prefer Mac or PC? And what are you currently reading? They may seem like odd questions, and they certainly aren’t your typical inquiries, but they actually do give some insight into the individual.
As Leah and her family prepared for their cross-country move to Arizona, she agreed to sit down for a brief electronic interview to help us all get to know her a little bit better.
At what age did you feel called into ministry?
I first felt the call to ministry in the form of youth ministry while in college, so probably around 21/22. What is one of your favorite things about being a pastor?
I love living life with people! Watching them grow deeper in their relationship with Christ, branch out to serve with God's love and encounter the life giving presence of the Holy Spirit.
Tell us a little about your missionary experience in the Dominican Republic.
I started short term missions with my church at 15 years old to the DR through the Foundation for Peace. In college I recognized the call to become a missionary in the DR so I would go there and Haiti during the summer breaks. I then moved to the DR following graduation from Temple University (BS in Secondary Science Ed.) with the intention of helping to create a science curriculum for the school the FFP would
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build, staff and support. Shortly after my arrival, the earthquake in Haiti occurred and shifted my focus entirely. I ended up going to the border and working in what would become the largest field hospital post-earthquake, then moving to a rehab/PT tent city for amputees, and finally shifting once more towards working on mobile medical clinics and a construction project for a vocational school.
Any special hobbies?
Well, post Christine I'm not sure what my hobbies are! lol I love cooking and find it a stress reliever. As a family, we love hiking and camping, but I personally am afraid to do so in Arizona with all the new creatures (rattlesnakes, scorpions, poisonous frogs, etc.). If anyone has any suggestions, I'm all ears!!! Justin and I also really enjoy flipping old furniture into something new and are very excited to finally have a garage with space to do so! Fun Fact about yourself?
I come from a long history of aviators. I grew up spending most weekends playing on grassfield airports running the wings of gliders or doing my homework from an air traffic control tower where my mom still works today. Also, I own a Triumph Bonneville T-100 and look forward to riding in AZ. I hear it's a great place for riders!
Please share your personal feelings regarding this call and moving to the Southwest.
Never would have I imagined leaving both our families and our hometowns to move to the desert but God’s call is incredibly clear – Pinnacle is where I am supposed to serve. I am most drawn to the warm and hospitable people I had the chance to meet through phone calls and on my visit to Pinnacle in addition to the work I will get to do – indeed the work I feel most gifted and spiritually enlivened to do. I am excited to get to know everyone and serve Jesus alongside each of you!
Leah will serve in all aspects of ministry at Pinnacle along with our other pastors through worship leadership, preaching, and pastoral care. In addition, she will work closely with our staff and volunteers working with children, youth, and their families. Leah will also walk alongside our Deacons and Congregational Life Committee in fostering community at Pinnacle.
PHOTOS - Page 4, Rev. Leah Quarles with her husband, Justin, daughter Christine and the family pup, Evie. Page 5, Leah performing a baptism at her former church. Page 6, top left, Christine and Evie and top right, Leah leading youngsters in prayer at The Anchor Presbyterian Church.
SHIRLEY NORRIS is Director of Communications. She is a dog person, nothing but Mac and at the time of this writing, was reading First Impressions by Charlie Lovett.
SPECIAL OFFERINGS
In gratitude, many in our family of faith wisely use this time of the year to evaluate what they might still do for ministry. The need remains great. Special offerings like Christmas Joy, Angel Tree, Alternative Gift Market, and support of our community partners through the Arizona Charitable and Public School Tax Credits all touch the lives of others in need.
CHRISTMAS ANGEL TREE SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 13 - 30 SANCTUARY NARTHEX
For the last 29 years Pinnacle has helped make Christmas morning a little brighter for many children and families. This years program will benefit clients of our mission partners, Vista Del Camino, Noah Webster Schools and Open Table. To participate, look for the Christmas Tree in the Sanctuary narthex, choose an angel from the tree and record your name and the angel number with a volunteer. Alternatively, you can select a virtual Angel here: https://bit.ly/ AngelTree2022
ALTERNATIVE GIFT MARKET SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 20 & 27
11:15 AM | SANCTUARY PATIO More than a gift extending farther than our borders, Pinnacle’s Alternative Gift Market is an opportunity to participate in feeding the hungry, providing education to students who are disenfranchised, being a caring heart for seniors, and much more. These gifts are available for purchase until December 31. Your tokens of love come with cards for you to give to your family and friends as recognition of gifts made in their honor. In addition, we will have hand-made Christmas ornaments from Haiti (available only at the in-person markets on November 20 & 27).
TAX CREDIT OPPORTUNITIES DEADLINE: DECEMBER 19
The state of Arizona offers a wonderful opportunity to receive a dollar-for-dollar tax credit for donating to a qualified organization. It’s a win for our Pinnacle mission partners and you!
CHRISTMAS JOY SUNDAY, DECEMBER 18
The Christmas Joy Offering has been a cherished Presbyterian tradition since the 1930s, opening doors of opportunity for our leaders who are shaped and supported through your gifts—doors that lead to hopeful futures for young people at Presbyterian-related schools and colleges equipping communities of color. Your gifts open doors that lead to relief for church workers and their families when critical financial needs arise. Find the Christmas Joy remittance envelope in the pew racks on Sundays, December 11 & 18, or you may make your donation online at pinnaclepres.org/specialofferings.
For more information about these offerings, watch for the “Joy to the World” Special Offerings booklet available in the Chapel and Sanctuary narthex, Church office and online at pinnaclepres.org beginning November 13.
