Our Concord Family wishes to welcome Pastor Tom Rand and his wife Liz and sons Will (6) and Alistair (4).
Tom and Liz began moving into the parsonage on Friday, Sept. 22. Thanks to the Facility Care Committee the parsonage was in "A-1" condition. Thanks to all who made it happen, especially Randy Leverage who coordinated that effort. Tom and Liz look forward to enjoying the large rooms and yard for the children.
Tom was born in Indiana, but by age 2 moved to the Pittsburgh, PA area, and in a few years moved to Arkansas where he grew up and graduated high school. He considers Arkansas "home." He attended Texas A&M with the original plan to do engineering. God kept nudging him with thoughts of the ministry and with several experiences that I'm sure he'll share with everyone, he changed to become a history major in preparation for seminary. Upon graduation he went to Garrett Seminary (outside Chicago) where he met Liz who was also attending there. After completing studies, he went on to receive his Masters of Divinity and then followed by his doctorate. They married and moved to Minnesota where he completed his doctorate and then returned to his Arkansas Conference. After a short time in the ministry there, he put in for a transfer to West Ohio Conference to be near family.
Liz graduated from Oxford High School and did her undergraduate work at Miami University before going to Garrett. Liz is an ordained Deacon and does her work by taking the church out into the community. She is presently involved in a program in Cincinnati that is helping single mothers become independent. Her work there will not be complete until December so she will be a busy "commuting mother" for a while.
Tom had been appointed to Summerside United Methodist Church in Cincinnati as of July 1 this year for the 7th year. Being called to Concord at an "unusual" time of the year has brought many challenges to his family and Summerside Church. We pray God's blessings on Summerside as they make transitions as well as Concord. We know that the two boys adjusting to a new home and school, Liz becoming a commuter, learning a new area and many new people are only a small part of all the adjustments that must happen. We pray continued strength for Tom and Liz during this time.
Concord has strong leadership and staff that have carried us from July 1 - Oct. 1 working with Rev. Steve Gill as interim. As we welcome Pastor Tom we thank the many people who kept things moving at Concord. Remember these words to an old hymn. " I am the church, you are the church, we are the church together. All who follow Jesus all around the world, yes, we're the church together." Welcome Rev. Tom Rand and family to a church that follows Jesus Christ.