meet pastor alliyah greaverPastor Alliyah was installed at St. John as our pastor on September 12, 2021. She can be reached at the church office by phone or by email. Below is more information about our new pastor.
Pastor Alliyah was ordained August 15, 2021 at her home congregation Christ the King Lutheran Church in Yankton, South Dakota. She served her internship year at St. John Lutheran of Boerne, Texas under the guidance of Pastor Eric Waters, with Associate Pastor Mariola Bergquist. She is the oldest daughter of Pastor Dani Jo Bierwagen and Pastor William Greaver. Her sister is Talitha Greaver. She received two MDiv degrees, from the North American Lutheran Seminary and Trinity School for Ministry. Pastor Alliyah also did pastoral studies at Luther Seminary and the Institute of Lutheran Theology. Her undergraduate degree is from Drake University, Des Moines, IA with a double major in Religion and Socio-Legal Studies. Before coming to St. John, Pastor Alliyah worked in Christian Education settings and at Ingham-Okoboji Lutheran Bible Camp. She loves the Lord and is happy to be part of St. John and the Greenville community. She is a member of the Greater Greenville Ministerial Association. If you would like to learn more about the church, Pastor Alliyah would be happy to get connected and meet with you. |
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Pastoral Emergencies or Pastoral Needs
If you would like to visit with Pastor, please contact the church office to schedule a time to visit. If you have a more immediate pastoral need or a pastoral emergency please do not hesitate to contact the church office or call Pastor's cell number. Pastor Alliyah can also be reached at her email: RevAlliyah@gmail.com.
Pastor’s Thoughts… (From February Newsletter)
Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
For those glancing at their newsletter articles from months gone-by, you may have wondered “what ever happened to Pastor’s visitation goal?”. So I thought I’d share a report, when I first arrived I had a goal to visit everyone who filled out a “Pastoral Visitation” form. And apart from a few folks that I am following up with or met with in other capacities during the year I believe I’ve finally completed that goal meeting with 57 households (some in the capacity of funeral-planning, baptism, membership, or nursing home visits rather than house-visits). If you didn’t sign up for one and would still like to meet or would like to chat again please leave a note on my desk or a message at church, I’d be delighted to meet or pray together.
The main goal of these meetings was to get to know the congregation, but also to gain a sense of where your prayers are for the congregation. This month I’ve been compiling my notes and wanted to share in general what I’ve heard and noticed. Although we are proud of our congregational heritage at St. John, the folks who attend here come from a variety of towns, and religious backgrounds. Many have stories of specific people who made them feel welcome or made an impact in their faith. When asked “why do you attend” the most common answers were 1) the focus on God and God’s Word, 2) Family or Faith Heritage, 3) Congregational Connection or Welcomeness – and usually a mixture of these answers. As a church, I’d say those are excellent values, that are more than just “glitter and smoke,” but are truly valuable, so this was encouraging to hear. When asked about people’s hopes and prayers for St. John there were a variety of answers including: greater youth outreach and inclusion, continued fellowship or community opportunities, discipleship and learning opportunities, new stewardship and mission opportunities, membership growth, and continued focus on God’s Word. As we continue our way forward these are part of my prayers and priorities for the congregation too, of course each of these items are not just pastoral or leadership priorities, but things as individual members we can strive to assist in, pray for, and work towards. I invite you to also keep these items and our church in your prayers as well.
I have been blessed to have a “snap-shot” picture of the faith and gifts of our congregation and I’ve been blessed with your hospitality as you’ve shared with me in our visits and conversations. I commit to continue to have a listening ear to your concerns, priorities, and prayers as we move forward together in this mutual ministry of discerning God’s will for St. John. Let’s continue to keep this conversation of discernment going as we step into 2023. May God Bless you each in the year ahead.
+ Pastor Alliyah Greaver
Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
For those glancing at their newsletter articles from months gone-by, you may have wondered “what ever happened to Pastor’s visitation goal?”. So I thought I’d share a report, when I first arrived I had a goal to visit everyone who filled out a “Pastoral Visitation” form. And apart from a few folks that I am following up with or met with in other capacities during the year I believe I’ve finally completed that goal meeting with 57 households (some in the capacity of funeral-planning, baptism, membership, or nursing home visits rather than house-visits). If you didn’t sign up for one and would still like to meet or would like to chat again please leave a note on my desk or a message at church, I’d be delighted to meet or pray together.
The main goal of these meetings was to get to know the congregation, but also to gain a sense of where your prayers are for the congregation. This month I’ve been compiling my notes and wanted to share in general what I’ve heard and noticed. Although we are proud of our congregational heritage at St. John, the folks who attend here come from a variety of towns, and religious backgrounds. Many have stories of specific people who made them feel welcome or made an impact in their faith. When asked “why do you attend” the most common answers were 1) the focus on God and God’s Word, 2) Family or Faith Heritage, 3) Congregational Connection or Welcomeness – and usually a mixture of these answers. As a church, I’d say those are excellent values, that are more than just “glitter and smoke,” but are truly valuable, so this was encouraging to hear. When asked about people’s hopes and prayers for St. John there were a variety of answers including: greater youth outreach and inclusion, continued fellowship or community opportunities, discipleship and learning opportunities, new stewardship and mission opportunities, membership growth, and continued focus on God’s Word. As we continue our way forward these are part of my prayers and priorities for the congregation too, of course each of these items are not just pastoral or leadership priorities, but things as individual members we can strive to assist in, pray for, and work towards. I invite you to also keep these items and our church in your prayers as well.
I have been blessed to have a “snap-shot” picture of the faith and gifts of our congregation and I’ve been blessed with your hospitality as you’ve shared with me in our visits and conversations. I commit to continue to have a listening ear to your concerns, priorities, and prayers as we move forward together in this mutual ministry of discerning God’s will for St. John. Let’s continue to keep this conversation of discernment going as we step into 2023. May God Bless you each in the year ahead.
+ Pastor Alliyah Greaver
Pastor Alliyah Greaver's Installation Service, September 12, 2021.
Pastor Alliyah's Installation Service at St. John Lutheran Church with Mission District Dean Pastor Paul Schultz presiding at the installation.
Pastor Alliyah's Installation Service at St. John Lutheran Church with Mission District Dean Pastor Paul Schultz presiding at the installation.
Pastor Alliyah Greaver's Ordination Service, August 15, 2021.
Pastor Alliyah's Ordination into the office of Pastoral Ministry took place at Christ the King Lutheran Church, Yankton, SD with Bishop Dan Selbo of the NALC presiding.
Pastor Alliyah's Ordination into the office of Pastoral Ministry took place at Christ the King Lutheran Church, Yankton, SD with Bishop Dan Selbo of the NALC presiding.