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Lawrence H. Bartel becomes the New Pastor of the
Oxford Presbyterian Church
Effective October 4, 2016
The congregation of the Oxford Presbyterian Church met on Sunday, August 28, 2016 to act on the recommendation of the Pastor Nominating Committee. Judith Barr, Moderator appointed by the Presbytery of the Miami Valley, accepted a motion that Lawrence H. Bartel become Pastor of the Oxford church. Following comments from the members of the nominating committee a vote, by paper ballot, was taken and tabulated. The congregation cast a unanimous vote for the recommendation. Effective October 4, 2016, Pastor Lawrence H. Bartel will begin his work with the Oxford church and will conduct worship on October 9, 2016.
How was Lawrence Bartel Selected?
From an applicant pool of more than 200 (many of whom did not meet the requirements of the position), 74 candidates were selected for intense review. Eleven were chosen as viable candidates. Following Skype interviews, several more than once, conversations with references, examination of pastor strengths, and listening to sermons, two candidates were invited to Oxford to meet with the Nominating Committee and the Presbytery. Four members of the Nominating Committee traveled to Old Forge, NY, to attend Pastor Lawrence's worship and meet with the family. Following additional Skype conversations the Pastor Nominating Committee cast a unanimous vote to call Lawrence H. Bartel to pastor the Oxford Presbyterian Church.
Who is Lawrence H. Bartel?
Born and raised in Dalton among the rolling hills of northeast Ohio, Lawrence H. Bartel, is excited to come home to the Buckeye State. After graduating from the College of Wooster, travels to Australia, India, and the U.K. on a post graduate fellowship clarified for Lawrence a change of vocational direction from biology to the ministry. Studies at McCormick Theological Seminary and working at a historic African American Presbyterian Church in Chicago confirmed this call.
In 2004, Lawrence became the pastor of Niccolls Memorial Presbyterian Church in Old Forge, NY. Together with the congregation, a vision of contextual discipleship emerged that embraced the unique Adirondack context that surrounds Old Forge while cultivating the church's already deep roots through generations of faithful worship and mission.
Pilgrimage is a vital and recurring theme in Lawrence's walk with Christ. In 2012, he traveled to Europe on a family sabbatical exploring the theme of "Walking with God on Holy Ground." In that season Lawrence walked the final 200 miles of the Camino de Santiago and then experienced the interior journey of walking the labyrinth of Chartres Cathedral in France.
In 2014, Lawrence joined the Mosaic of Peace journey to Israel and Palestine that is sponsored by the PC (USA) Peacemaking Program. Following that conference, he walked the Jesus Trail from Nazareth to Capernaum. This year Lawrence served as a co-leader for the 2016 Mosaic of Peace journey back to Israel and Palestine.
In the midst of life's fullness, he savors the time to walk, paddle, ski and travel. In the fall of 2013, Lawrence and a good friend who is a Roman Catholic priest walked the 120-mile Northville-Placid Trail that winds through the most remote regions of the Adirondacks. In the fall of 2015, he and the same friend paddled in the Adirondack Canoe Classic together for the second time. The course of this three-day race covers the ninety miles between Old Forge and Saranac Lake.
When Lawrence is not outside, he also loves to engage the power of stories through writing, books, film, music, and the arts. Early every week, he bakes bread for his family with sourdough starter over 120 years old.
Lawrence feels deeply blessed to be married to his college sweetheart, Amy, from New Concord, OH. Amy is an artist and also holds a masters degree in education with certification in Montessori. Recently, she began a sewing studio specializing in fashion design with a brand called "Forget Me Not." She continues to enjoy and explore this new endeavor of design and sales.
Lawrence and Amy are parents of a twelve-year-old son, Jens, and a ten-year-old daughter, Lydia. Jens enjoys skiing, playing the piano, and exploring the technical aspects of our digital world. Lydia loves to read, bake, bike, make music, create stories with friends and care for their family pets.
Lawrence is a graduate of the College of Wooster and holds a Master of Divinity from McCormick Theological Seminary. His honors include a fellowship with the Thomas J. Watson Foundation (1997-98), an award from the Boling Fund for International Travel and Study (2003), and a Lilly Foundation Clergy Renewal Grant (2012).
Lawrence H. Bartel most recently, from 2004 to 2016, was Pastor to Niccolls Memorial Presbyterian Church, Old Forge, NY. He is the immediate past Moderator of the Utica Presbytery and was co-director of 2016 Co-Director of PC(USA)'s Mosaic for Peace Program.
Pastor Lawrence will begin his tenure at the Oxford Presbyterian Church on October 4, 2016, and will lead worship on October 9, 2016. Please join us for Lawrence Bartel's first official Sunday on October 9!
Please continue to pray for our new pastor, Lawrence, and his family during this joyous season of new beginnings. We also offer prayers for Hart and Cheryl Edmonds during their upcoming season of transition.
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Oxford Presbyterian Church
101 N. Main Street
Oxford, OH 45056
513-523-6364
office@oxfordpresbychurch.org
www.oxfordpresbychurch.org
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