RELIGION
BOB BREARLEY | Area rich in different faith traditions
MY STORY Why I live here “I had been pastoring at White Bluff Presbyterian Church in Savannah for 12 years when a search committee from St. Simons Presbyterian Church came to visit me. They invited me to pastor here once I was finished in Savannah. So, I prayed a lot and decided it was the best thing for me and my family.�
What I tell others about life here “I really love the diversity of people. They come from all over the nation and intentionally choose to live here.�
T
he Rev. Bob Brearley wanted to make sure his choice to go into ministry was his own and not because he came from a long line of Presbyterian ministers. So he studied history and English literature at Presbyterian College in South Carolina with the intention of becoming an English teacher. But midway through an English literature master’s program, he felt a calling to the clergy. “I always knew ministry was an option, but I wanted it to be a real choice and not because of my family,� the senior pastor at St. Simons Presbyterian Church says. “Midway through getting my master’s, I had another conversation with God and realized that I wanted to go into theology for myself and for my family.� Brearley moved to St. Simons Island in June 1998 and has led the Presbyterian congregation in worship at 205 Kings Way, St. Simons Island, ever since. One of the many aspects that Brearley continues to find exciting about the Golden Isles is the strong history of faith found across the island.
“This area has a rich tradition of supporting different expressions of faith, and we can’t forget that. We have to be intentional about working as one large faith community,� he says. Two examples of that ecumenical attitude are annual services at Thanksgiving and Easter, when many island churches converge to worship together. For Brearley, who organizes the logistics for the Thanksgiving services each year, the shared moments of faith are a beautiful tradition, but more could be done throughout the year. Describing himself as a “stewardship fella,� Brearley says he hopes St. Simons Presbyterian Church, in particular, will continue its outreach programs and take on active roles within the community. “I feel that for several years now, churches have been in survival mode rather than a generous mode. I hope we continue to grow in our generosity and keep trying to be a church that involves its laity. We are more involved in each others’ lives and in the community, which is a good thing, but there’s always more we can do,� he says. – Bethany Leggett
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