ashfordumc.org

Greetings to everyone at Ashford UMC:

I am so looking forward to starting and completing my 9 months of pastoral internship at your church. It is my prayer that this learning experience will be a blessing for me as well as for each of you. Of course, there will be challenges, but I like to see them as opportunities for a personal spiritual renewal and growth.

On August 17, you will have the pleasure of meeting my family. My husband, Lee Mercer, is a graduate of Texas Southern University and my son, LaMarcus L. Mercer, is a recent Electrical Engineering graduate of Prairie View A&M University.

When my mom passed away on November 23, 2007, my sister, Audrey Faye Parhm, became another member of our household. Audrey has Cerebral Palsy and attends the Adult Day Program at "The Center" at 3550 West Dallas. I am 18 months older than Audrey. Our oldest brother, Arthur, passed away in November 2005. As you can see, challenges seem to follow me; but I do not allow them to shake my faith in God nor my love for Him.

Well, in closing, thank you for agreeing to be a part of my learning process as I complete my studies at Perkins. My family and I are looking forward to meeting the Ashford church family on August 17, 2008.

Peace, joy and love,
Stephanie Mercer