Our Interim, or Transitional, Pastor the Rev. Dwyn Mounger started his ministry at Highland February 3, 2019.
He lives with his wife Kay in Knoxville and has two grown children and four grandchildren.
He has served called pastorates in PC(USA) congregations in Columbus, GA (where he and Kay met and married); Morganton, NC; Valdosta, GA; Anderson, SC; and Oak Ridge, TN.
He has served interims at First Presby., Statesboro, GA; First Presby., Jonesboro, AR; Kirk-in-the-Pines Presby., Hot Springs Village, AR; (Flagler) Memorial Presby., St. Augustine, FL; Trinity Presby., Fairhope, AL; Fondren Presby., Jackson, MS; Community Presby., Deerfield Beach, FL; Eusebia Presby., Seymour, TN; and New Hope Presby., Knoxville.
A native of Jackson, MS, he holds degrees from Belhaven University; an M.A. in history from Mississippi State University; an M.Div. from Princeton Theological Seminary; and a Ph.D. from Union Theological Seminary, New York.
He spent a Fulbright year at the Free University of Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
Last fall, in time for Christmas, Crippled Beagle Publishing, of Knoxville, produced his rhymed children's book Elihu, Innkeeper's Lad, about a fictional son of Bethlehem's innkeeper who finds shelter for the desperate Holy Family. It is available in both hard and paperback on amazon.com and in kindle version.
Dr. Mounger enjoys walking in his West Knoxville neighborhood, biking, writing, leading occasional tours overseas; and, with Kay, spoiling grandchildren! He hopes, at least sometimes, to join the Highland Church weekly hiking-in-the-Smokies club.
Dr. Dwyn Mounger
Special Message from the Session to All Members and Friends of Highland Presbyterian Church
“He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty . . . Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness . . . .” (Psalm 91:1, 5-6)
These words, read by Ruling Elder Cheryl Baker from the venerable King James Version, began, with prayer, a called meeting of your Session Sunday, March 22, at noon, in the outdoor pavilion in sight of the flowering trees of the church, as the elders met, spaced apart in practice of “safe distancing” and with hands doused with sanitizer. We achieved the quorum, always required by the Book of Order, not only by the physical presence of four plus the moderator but also electronically, adding two by speakerphone.
The Session has cancelled not only public worship but all activities within Highland’s buildings (with one exception, see below), at least until Easter Sunday, April 12, when, depending on national guidelines at the time, we may, in God’s providence, possibly resume our 10:30 a.m. service. In addition, the Session decided that:
The church office will stay open Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, 9 a.m. to noon, with Secretary Lindsay Rogers present and continuing most of her basic duties; Members of the church staff will continue to receive their pay during the time of closure; The Highland Quilters may continue their regular meetings in the church basement, but the Session asks them carefully to sanitize their tables and work area, both before and afterwards. The church cleaning service will be cancelled during the time that our buildings are closed; The Session shall have another called meeting (in the same pavilion) at noon on Sunday, April 5, to determine when we might resume public worship and meetings in our buildings; and Most important: the Session urges all of us, during this time of world challenge, when we must remain apart, to practice a virtual “Passing of the Peace”—that is, remembering those who sit around us in actual pews on normal Sunday mornings, with whom we visibly could do so, we should telephone, text, and/or email those same church members and friends at least weekly, and bid them God’s peace and blessings, even from afar.
Finally, also important: the Session asked your interim pastor, with member Whitney Erickson, to attempt in some way, if possible, by next Sunday, April 29, to live-stream on the internet at least an abbreviated service of worship which members and friends may access. The elders, convinced that Highland has a unique message and mission, believed this to be better than latching on to another church’s live-streaming. Watch for further details! And please continue to keep Highland Church, especially its Session and Pastor Nominating Committee, as well as its most challenged members and friends, and the marginalized and poor among us, in your daily prayers. Please phone or text me at (904) 315-9312 if you have any needs!
Cordially,
Dwyn M. Mounger, Interim (or Transitional) Pastor
Highland Presbyterian Church 721 E. Lamar Alexander Pkwy.
Maryville, TN 37804 (865) 982-9272
www.highlandpresby.org
“He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty . . . Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness . . . .” (Psalm 91:1, 5-6)
These words, read by Ruling Elder Cheryl Baker from the venerable King James Version, began, with prayer, a called meeting of your Session Sunday, March 22, at noon, in the outdoor pavilion in sight of the flowering trees of the church, as the elders met, spaced apart in practice of “safe distancing” and with hands doused with sanitizer. We achieved the quorum, always required by the Book of Order, not only by the physical presence of four plus the moderator but also electronically, adding two by speakerphone.
The Session has cancelled not only public worship but all activities within Highland’s buildings (with one exception, see below), at least until Easter Sunday, April 12, when, depending on national guidelines at the time, we may, in God’s providence, possibly resume our 10:30 a.m. service. In addition, the Session decided that:
The church office will stay open Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, 9 a.m. to noon, with Secretary Lindsay Rogers present and continuing most of her basic duties; Members of the church staff will continue to receive their pay during the time of closure; The Highland Quilters may continue their regular meetings in the church basement, but the Session asks them carefully to sanitize their tables and work area, both before and afterwards. The church cleaning service will be cancelled during the time that our buildings are closed; The Session shall have another called meeting (in the same pavilion) at noon on Sunday, April 5, to determine when we might resume public worship and meetings in our buildings; and Most important: the Session urges all of us, during this time of world challenge, when we must remain apart, to practice a virtual “Passing of the Peace”—that is, remembering those who sit around us in actual pews on normal Sunday mornings, with whom we visibly could do so, we should telephone, text, and/or email those same church members and friends at least weekly, and bid them God’s peace and blessings, even from afar.
Finally, also important: the Session asked your interim pastor, with member Whitney Erickson, to attempt in some way, if possible, by next Sunday, April 29, to live-stream on the internet at least an abbreviated service of worship which members and friends may access. The elders, convinced that Highland has a unique message and mission, believed this to be better than latching on to another church’s live-streaming. Watch for further details! And please continue to keep Highland Church, especially its Session and Pastor Nominating Committee, as well as its most challenged members and friends, and the marginalized and poor among us, in your daily prayers. Please phone or text me at (904) 315-9312 if you have any needs!
Cordially,
Dwyn M. Mounger, Interim (or Transitional) Pastor
Highland Presbyterian Church 721 E. Lamar Alexander Pkwy.
Maryville, TN 37804 (865) 982-9272
www.highlandpresby.org
