St. Marks United Methodist Church

Kelly Sterling

“GETTING TO KNOW KELLY”

 

 

On my third week at St. Mark’s, I had a “moment.” It was Monday morning and I was walking through the sanctuary to the parking lot, I stopped, looked at the empty pews and the beautiful stained glass windows and thought…I can’t believe I’m finally here.  I’m

finally doing what I’m meant to do.

 

I started wondering through the day, why did it take me so long to figure this out?  I realized God was not ready for me to be on His staff.  I needed to experience life; including joys, suffering, sadness and peacefulness.  I needed that on my resume before He was ready to hire me.  God started to light a path for me, which I gently started to travel on.

 

That path has lead me to the St. Mark’s family and I couldn’t be more excited, and a bit overwhelmed.  I grew up in the south end of Findlay. I use to ride my bike through the St. Mark’s parking lot.  My life journey has taken me to jobs in Louisville, and Delaware, and I end doing what I’m meant to do, down the street from where I spent the first 18 plus years of my life.  It gives a whole new meaning to “there’s no place like home.”

 

I bring to the St. Mark’s family my husband, Tim, and four step children, Ashley, 20; a senior at BGSU, Molly, 18; a freshman at BGSU; Melanie, 17; a junior at Bowling Green high school, and Timmy, 14; an 8^th grader at Bowling Green Christian Academy.  I also share my home space with my four legged “kids”, Nittany; a Golden Retriever, Winston; a Miniature Schnauzer, and 2 cats; Sonya and Bob.  My parents still live in the same house on the south end of Findlay, Barney and Sally Sterling.

 

As I continue this journey, I thank you.  I thank you for your patience.  I thank you for welcoming me into your “home”, but most of all I thank you for this opportunity to learn, grow and love God with you.