West Milford Presbyterian Church chooses new pastor

The members of the West Milford Presbyterian Church have elected the Rev. Dr. Christopher Doyle as its new pastor, to begin serving in May.

The church, at 1452 Union Valley Road, had been served for more than 20 years by the Rev. Janet Macgregor-Williams. Her retirement in the fall of 2018 brought interim Pastor Justin Choi, who served during a transitional period.

In addition, West Milford Presbyterian has joined in a shared relationship with Oak Ridge Presbyterian Church. Doyle has been a shared pastor at Oak Ridge and Berkshire Valley Presbyterian Churches.

The arrangement offers both churches with Doyle’s ministry and pastoral care and provides financial stability and potential collaboration opportunities.

Betsy Engelhardt, clerk of session and moderator of the Pastor Nominating Commitee, said this is an exciting time for the church: “A new beginning with positive change possible if we gather together in fellowship and worship, offering creative thinking, open minds and welcoming hearts.”

The churches were founded within a decade of each other in the early 1800s. They are nine miles apart and have a long history of serving their communities.

Doyle said, “I’m really excited to start working with the church family of West Milford and looking forward to what we can do together.

“We know that when we join with others to tackle something that we all care about that we can be more effective and far reaching. That is what I’m very hopeful will come from this new relationship.”

He received his Master of Divinity from the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary. He studied in Jerusalem as both an undergraduate and a graduate.

Starting May 14, Sunday worship will begin at 9 a.m.

For information, call the church office at 973-728-3081 or send email to wmpchurch@gmail.com