Hello, my name is Sam Gordy, and I am excited to be your new pastor at Reed City and Hersey UMC.
In 2009, after a twenty-six-year career in the banking industry, I responded to God’s call on my life to journey into the vocation of pastoral ministry. Upon completing the initial required training and going through all the necessary steps in the process, I was given my first assignment at a small country church, Morris Chapel, in Niles, Michigan. We spent 16 months there, and it proved to be a good learning experience.
Since that time, we have served in the following Ministry Settings:
• Northwest UMC—Kalamazoo 2013-2015
• Bronson First UMC—Bronson 2015-2021
• Colon UMC—Colon 2018-2020
(Circuit W/Bronson)
• Delton Faith UMC—Delton 2021-2025
My wife Elizabeth and I have been married for over 41 years (November 5, 1983). Our wedding was held in her home church, Frontier UMC, located in southern Hillsdale County. We met while attending a small Business College in Battle Creek, now part of Davenport University. Elizabeth spent over thirty years working in the auto industry as a Quality Engineer. In November 2020, changes/downsizing in the auto industry supplied an early retirement opportunity that allowed Elizabeth to turn her focus towards other things in her life that she is passionate about.
Our family has grown quite a bit in the last number of years. We have two sons, Joshua, 38, and Matthew, 37. Joshua is married to our lovely daughter-in-law Toni, and they have blessed us with two wonderful grandchildren. Allileah (Alli) will turn 17 in June, and Alexander (Alex) is 12 years old. Matthew is married to our other lovely daughter-in-law, Chelsea. They, too, have blessed us with four grandchildren: Edith (Edie) will be 10 in July, Nels is eight, Este, who will be three in June, and Enni will celebrate her first birthday on July 6, our first Sunday with you.
Our hobbies consist of walking, riding our bikes, as well as various sports and yard games. Individually, Sam enjoys sports, reading, and building relationships with people in the community.
Elizabeth has taken on crafting, such as crocheting (blankets, prayer shawls, scarves, anything with a straight line, not too fancy). She recently purchased a sewing machine in hopes of learning how to make more items for gifting and community family needs (not just repairing broken seams).
We also enjoy the company of good friends, be it over a cup of coffee, burgers on the grill, or just an afternoon in the backyard talking the night away. Give us a call, we would love to have you over. Everyone is welcome and our door is always open.
If you want to know more, you will have to ask. I take my coffee black.
Blessings to You All,
Pastor Sam and Elizabeth Gordy
A Message of Gratitude
We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude for preparing the Hersey parsonage for our arrival this past month. Your kindness and support mean more to us than words can adequately convey.
Painting rooms, replacing kitchen counters, and sink. Replacing bathroom vanity, installing additional electrical outlets, and ceiling fans. These are surely only a few of the items completed by Reed City and Hersey churches.
Thank you to those who attended our physical nourishment on moving-in day. Starting our day with breakfast, dinner, and dessert. I’m confident that if these blessings did not meet us in our day, we would have continued to press forward with no thought of when we ate last. An additional meal was provided on Father’s Day. On a hot Sunday afternoon, it was appreciated to the fullest.
In this day, it is rare to encounter people who think beyond themselves, and we feel truly fortunate to have had the opportunity to benefit from your generosity. Your gestures of love and support have made a lasting impact, and we deeply appreciate the thought and effort each of you put into it.
Thank you once again for everything. Please know that your kindness, support, and generosity have not gone unnoticed and will always be remembered with great admiration.
We are looking forward to being in ministry to help grow God’s Kingdom here on earth.
Halakh the Halakah,
Pastor Sam and Elizabeth Gordy