New reverend ‘exactly where he’s supposed to be’

Making a presentation of a stole to Rev. Kirby Breithaupt and flowers to his wife Leslie on the occasion of a covenanting service to welcome them are Anne MacKinnon, left, and Sherrie Brown, right.

With the pews full, the congregations of Friendship and Wesley United Church welcomed their new minister at a formal covenanting service the evening of Sunday, June 10th.  Moving to the County in December to begin his ministry with the Prince Edward North Pastoral Charge, the Reverend Kirby Breithaupt, and his wife Leslie, were jubilant.

Rev. Breithaupt served for four years in Bermuda before answering the call to come to Prince Edward North Pastoral Charge.
Rev. Breithaupt, who was born and grew up in Toronto, is one of three children. He holds degrees in Education and Psychology from McGill University. Following an executive career, he returned to study for ministry in 1995, graduated with a Master’s degree in Divinity, and was ordained in 1999. This is his fourth pastoral charge.

Older sister – the Reverend Emmy Beauchamp – gave the message saying “maybe you already know this but my brother excels at pastoral visiting, it’s what he likes to do.”

“Very seldom, during our lives, do we find ourselves exactly where we’re supposed to be, exactly when we’re supposed to be there, or exactly how we’re supposed to have gotten there,” said Rev. Breithaupt. “Thanks be to God, Leslie and I find ourselves, at this precise juncture of our lives, exactly where we’re supposed to be, namely here, in Prince Edward County, serving two absolutely wonderful congregations – Wesley United Church, Mountain View, and Friendship United Church, Demorestville.
“We’re also delightfully aware that we’re here exactly when we’re supposed to be here, realizing that all of our travels in Christian ministry have been prologue and preparation for serving here. And finally, we’re grateful to have gotten here exactly how we’re supposed to have gotten here – namely – by God’s gracious call.”

A reception followed the service and the warmth of fellowship and caring filled the room.  Granddaughter Ruthie enthusiastically helped with cutting the cake and serving it.

Prince Edward North Pastoral Charge has two churches, Wesley United in Mountain View and Friendship Church in Demorestville.  Wesley worships at 9:30am and Friendship at 11am.  Summer services are held jointly at 10am at Wesley during July and Friendship during August.  All are welcome to join either congregation on Sunday or at special events held at other times.