The Reverend Laurie Crowe Knoespel has been appointed pastor of the Columbus and Saluda Methodist Churches. 

Laurie was called by God to full-time vocational ministry from a career in psychology. Her commitment to that call was clear and unwavering. Having received her undergraduate degree from Emory University in Atlanta, it made sense for her to return there for seminary. The final years of her Master of Divinity degree were completed at Cambridge (Wesley House Seminary) in England where she also served Winchester Road Methodist Church in London for two years.

This is Laurie’s 19th year in ministry following nine years in private practice and community mental health counseling in Florida. Laurie and her husband Jack (a retired United Methodist minister) have just celebrated their 10th anniversary. They enjoy hiking and travel, especially to national and state parks.

Laurie and Jack are excited about being back in the mountains and are very much looking forward to the many opportunities for ministry in Columbus and Saluda.

Laurie will begin serving Columbus and Saluda Sunday, July 19. Both congregations welcome Laurie and invite the community to worship with us.

– article submitted by Mike Whitt