West Dover Congregational Church recently called the Rev. Emily Carrington Heath as the new settled pastor of their congregation. Emily will also be serving as the pastor of the neighboring Wilmington Congregational Church.

Emily was born in Virginia and grew up mainly in Winter Park, Florida. She attended Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, graduating with majors in English and Religion. After college Emily remained in the Atlanta area and began seminary right away. At Columbia Theological Seminary, Emily developed interests in preaching, community service and outreach ministries. She graduated from Columbia in 2001 with a Master of Divinity.

Ordained in the Presbyterian Church (USA) in 2001, Emily spent the next eight years in specialized ministries. Her work included serving as a hospital chaplain in a variety of settings including trauma and pediatrics. She also served as a hospice chaplain working with patients at the end of life. Along the way she earned a second masters degree from Columbia in systematic theology.

Emily chose to transfer her ordination to the United Church of Christ, our home denomination, after being attracted by the UCC’s outreach efforts. She feels a strong call to pastoral ministry and is thrilled to be serving here in southern Vermont.

In her spare time Emily enjoys playing golf, writing, reading, and visiting friends throughout New England and family in Virginia. She is a lifelong Washington Redskins fan and a devoted Boston Red Sox fan. She began serving here in May and looks forward to involvement in the West Dover community.

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