During the time between Bob’s retirement and Teresa’s arrival at the beginning of March, NPC is being blessed with sermons from guest pastors. Heather Koontz and Barry Whittemore shared insightful messages with us in January and will be joining us again in February. All of us at NPC want to express our appreciation to both of them for sharing their time and wisdom with us. Thank you!
Heather grew up in Annapolis, Maryland. She is a graduate of The University of Tennessee in Knoxville and Union Presbyterian Seminary in Richmond, VA , where she met her husband, Lee, who serves as Senior Pastor at First Presbyterian Church in Gainesville. They have two energetic and soccer loving boys, AJ (15) and Alex (12).
Heather has spent most of her 20 years of ordained ministry serving as an Interim Pastor. She currently enjoys supply preaching and leading retreats and workshops that explore multi-sensory activities to engage scripture and encourage creativity and prayer. She loves to read, cook, garden, and explore the North Georgia Mountains and waterfalls with her family.
Rev. Dr. Barry Whittemore was ordained in 1999 as a Unitarian Universalist. He retired from active parish ministry in 2013. Currently he is a Senior Lecturer in Appalachian, Religious, and American History at the University of North Georgia in Dahlonega. He earned his doctorate in History from Carnegie Mellon University in 1997 and his Master of Divinity from Duke in 1999.