 Introducing The Rev.
Merle Timko
(as presented in our monthly Newsletter "The UP Beat") EDUCATION and EXPERIENCE Prior to
seminary she served as a Director of Christian Education and
Youth Pastor
for over twenty years. She earned her BA in Social Sciences from the University of Pittsburgh in 1994 and her Masters of Divinity degree from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary in 1999. She was ordained in 1999 to interim pastor of Crestview Community Church, PCUSA in Callery, PA. In 2001 she accepted the call to serve as installed pastor of Bethel UP Church in Monroeville, PA. She is currently enrolled in the Doctor of Ministry Small Church program at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, expecting graduation in 2009. HOBBIES and FAMILY Rev.
Timko is a
lifelong Pittsburger. Besides being blessed by ministry, Merle
enjoys vacations
with friends at Bethany Beach, DE., pilgrimages to Scotland, reading, photography, church camping, counted cross-stitch, walking the dog, and playing guitar. She also enjoys exploring historic sites, breaking bread with friends and watching HGTV. Her greatest joys come with being with her family. Son Mark is a contractor living in Plum Borough. Grandson, Matthew, age 6, enjoys soccer and Spider man. Daughter, Michelle trains dogs and loves county music. Mark's fiancee´ Erin works as a paralegal and has three children: Joey, age 2, Shelby, age 9 and Whitney, age 14. Last but not least in Sandee, their lap-shepherd dog. Who needs TV when you have a dog ? ! ! Associations Merle is a member of the
International Association of Women Ministers, Three Rivers
Walk to Emmaus, and the Order of the Wild Goose. One of her dreams for the future is to do a summer long pulpit exchange with a minister in the Church of Scotland. Another is to serve as a member of the Iona Community, working for peace and justice.
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