Rev. Dr. Shannon Smythe

WESTFIELD — The Rev. Dr. Shannon Smythe came a long way to become the pastor of the First Presbyterian Church in Westfield, but it looks like her journey has brought her home.

Smythe, who was officially chosen as the new pastor of the oldest organized church in Chautauqua County, relocated to Westfield from more than 2,500 miles away in Burien, a city just outside of Seattle, Washington.

“I had never heard of Westfield,” she said with a laugh. “To be honest, the church found me.”

Smythe explained that the Presbyterian Church has an online program for churches seeking a pastor or for pastors seeking a church. “It’s almost like a match-making site,” she said. “They had come across me in their search for a new pastor.”

Representatives from the church reached out to Smythe in early summer. After the usual back and forth exchange of information, Smythe, her husband, Kevin Subers, and their son, Micah, traveled to Westfield for a first meeting. “It went better than any of us expected,” she said. “We were really open to where God might be calling me next.”

It wasn’t long before the pastor nominating committee, which had been commissioned by the congregation, contacted Smythe and said they had chosen her to be their pastor. “This all happened really quickly,” she said. “The church voted for me to be the pastor on Sunday, September 15.” Smythe was officially announced as the pastor of the First Presbyterian Church on Oct. 1.

The decision was not an easy one, Smythe said. Not only would Smythe be leaving her current position but Kevin, a social worker, would also need to find new employment. “We stood outside the church on our first visit praying to know if this was the right thing to do,” she said.

It didn’t take long, however, for Smythe and her family to believe they had made the right decision. “When we were first doing our research, we were struck by how much was going on in this area. It was really nice to see that, while it is a small community, it has a lot going on,” she said.

Smythe said she and her husband were struck by the fact that everyone spoke so highly of Chautauqua County. She noted that her family loves outdoor events and activities, and her family finds the area, in general, to be very attractive.

It was the people of the congregation, however, that were the greatest affirmation. “We kind of fell in love with the people on the search committee,” she said. “We felt a kinship or a bond of where the church would like to head.”

This is Smythe’s first assignment as a full-time pastor. Prior to this, she was a Professor of Theology at Seattle Pacific University and Seminary. She has more than 13 years of pastoral experience and has authored several books.

Smythe said she has studied theology and ministry since she was in college, and she planned to be a teacher. However, her journey led her to obtain a Master of Divinity and a PhD in theology, and finally led her to be ordained in 2017.

The congregation in Westfield impressed Smythe with their dedication, she said. “They really believe that mission is the heart of the church.”

Smythe said the congregation fulfills their mission by serving one another and by serving and loving the Westfield community. “It’s exciting to join a church that is focused in that way,” she said. “My goal once I finish getting settled is to get out and be an active part of the Westfield community.”

Smythe said the most daunting task that lies ahead for her is to reach out to those who have been wounded by the church. “It’s hard in some ways for anyone to be involved in the church in this day and age,” she said. “There’s baggage and real hurts that people are carrying.”

Smythe said that a primary goal of the Westfield church is to reignite their ministry to children, youth and their families. The greater part of the congregation come from the generation of the baby boomers and before, however, they seem open to change, she said.

No matter what generation a person comes from, Smythe said, one must be able to face change. “The reality is that the church should constantly be changing. I believe God comes in the new situations that are facing us,” she said.

Smythe said it is hard for people to accept change and even harder for a church at large. “Institutions can resist the changes that they need to survive and thrive,” she said.

Overall, however, Smythe said her main objective is to “cultivate a community of belonging where folks can be themselves and a community that seeks the well-being of our neighbors and all of Westfield, but with particular attention to those folks who are often marginalized.”