Page 15 - Wayne Dispatch Pages

PASTOR, Continued from page 11 “That shaped a good deal of my life leading too. I finished my training “I think he is going to work out
and what I’m about.” and the rest is history.” wonderfully for us. He is a wonderful
ple without even speaking the lan- There are many experiences and Cooper has been in ministry for change,” said Linda Beasley, office
guage. To just have an understand- moments that can shape someone’s about 22 years. Prior to joining First administrator of 21 years for the
ing that people are people. We all just life. Congregational Church of Wayne, he First Congregational Church of
want to be loved and be able to live “I was a salesman in Oakland was a minister for 10 years in Wayne. “I've heard only good things
and be at peace,” said Cooper. County when I felt a call to ministry Greenville, and then he was involved about him. He is very personable,
While Cooper was on his first trip and I didn’t know what that was with online ministry. open, easy to talk to, and willing to
to Guatemala, his grandma got very about,” said Cooper. “It led me to In December of 2020, on account listen to what we want.”
sick. His initial thought was to re- going back to school for a degree in of the pandemic, Cooper, who was As Cooper adjusts to the familiar-
turn home to be with her during her ministry. During my ordination living in South Carolina at the time, ity of a brick and mortar congrega-
illness, but he decided to stay in process, I was an associate minister along with three other ministers tion - as opposed to online ministry -
Guatemala because he knew she at a church. The senior pastor there from California, Indiana, and Wis- there is much to look forward to.
wouldn’t want him to leave his trip. looked at me and said my calling consin created an online ministry “I’m most looking forward to see-
“My grandma ended up passing was to be a senior pastor. Then it be- called Anamesa. ing the next chapter for this place.
while I was on that trip,” said Cooper. came clear that this is what it was In Greek, Anamesa is an adverb There is so much history here. Next
that means “between.” The point of year will be the 175th anniversary on
the ministry is to worship together in August 20th,” said Cooper. “There
the space in between and to learn to hasn't been a leader here for the last
connect. Connect between the space three years because of the pandemic.
between heaven and Earth, us and Things aren't as they used to be.
God, what is and what was, and the Things have changed. But there's
journey in between all those things. hope here. Some of the folks here
It is an online community to find out are the most committed people I
who we are. have ever met.”
“It’s easier to connect with people Some folks like Beasley have
when you are planted in one place. been attending First Congregational
It’s harder to do online because you Church of Wayne since the 1970s,
aren't with the people,” said Cooper. while others like Beasley’s husband
In July 2022, Cooper was Norm, were born into the church.
planted in one place when he joined Cooper has been married to his
First Congregational Church of wife Michelle for 33 years. They have
Wayne as lead minister. two sons, both United States Navy
“The best part is connecting with veterans, and two grandsons.
people and hearing people’s stories “Being a minister was not a life
and helping them navigate life to- call, but it is now. This is who I am,”
gether. It’s been really good so far. We said Cooper.
feel connected. The connection didn’t First Congregational Church of
take long,” said Cooper. “We all deal Wayne is located at 2 Towne Square
with troubles and issues, and I really St, Wayne. Their worship service is
enjoy trying to help people and walk every Sunday at 10:30 AM.
through things with them. I like For more information about First
being real with folks and them being Congregational Church of Wayne,
real with me.” visit fccow.com or call (734)729-
Members of the church also feel 7550.
positive about the connection with For more information about
Rev. Cooper. Anamesa, visit anamesa.org.

The Wayne Dispatch · September 2022 · 15