Reverend Dr. Tom Garrison was our Guest Pastor for three consecutive Sundays
in late March and early April. He has kindly agreed to serve as our
Guest Pastor throughout the Summer. He retired in 2016 and moved with
his wife, Renata, to her hometown Vienna. Rev. Tom is originally from the
State of Alabama, having first served in the United States Air Force before
following the call to serve God. Educated at Faulkner University, Amridge
University, Auburn University, he received his Doctorate from Columbia
Theological Seminary in the United States. Rev. Tom holds Ordained standing
in two denomi- nations; Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and the United Church of
Christ. He has not only served in many churches in the United States and Canada as Senior
Pastor or as Interim Pastor, respectively, but also held the position as a Chaplain, taught as
an Adjunct Professor, and has counselling experience in grief crises, depression, and
conflict. One of his loves is teaching and he has
taught at St. George’s House, Windsor Castle, England. He has written three
books of sermons, his latest is “The Word in other Words”. Rev. Tom states
that as a Pastor “his journey of faith leads him to the teaching, love and experience
of Jesus Christ.” He believes that challenges to “the mission of a
church … is to see the church as a vehicle through which all people come to
know the redemptive power of God; to see the church as a community of
faith, which nurtures, heals and empowers all people; and for the church to
be a place of faith, freedom and focus.”
Please warmly welcome Rev. Tom to the VCC!