The Three Voices Presbyterian Church consisting of the congregations of Verona First Presbyterian Church, Mount Vernon Presbyterian Church in Vernon and Cochran Memorial Presbyterian Church in Oneida Castle is pleased to announce that Michael Yeoman of Oneida has joined the ministry team.
Yeoman recently graduated from the Lay Academy of the Presbytery of Utica and was formally Commissioned to serve the Three Voices Congregation during a special service of the Presbytery of Utica held in Forestport.
“I am extremely excited to be part of this exciting ministry,” Yeoman said. He will be joining two other Commissioned Lay Pastors – Peg Ward and Kevin Bailey who will all have similar ministry roles for these churches and the communities that they serve.
Yeoman is particularly excited about giving back to the church that played an important role in the development of his Christian faith. As a child, he participated in the Sunday School program at Verona First and was active in the Church’s youth group as a teen.“One of my Sunday School teachers, Clara Meier, whom I credit for giving me a good foundation in my faith, is still a very active member of the church,” he said.
“One of my Sunday School teachers, Clara Meier, whom I credit for giving me a good foundation in my faith, is still a very active member of the church,” he said.
Yeoman said that while there have been many changes in these communities and the world, the thing that he has been most impressed with since joining the ministry team is that there has been one thing that has remained steadfast within these churches and that is the genuine love that they have for God and their commitment to serving their fellow human beings not only from their own congregations but throughout their communities and beyond.
The vision of the Three Voices Presbyterian Church is one family serving God together. It is from that vision that they respond and commit themselves to faithfully love and serve their communities. They place an importance on being there for others through worship, music and prayer; outreach; and community events.
Yeoman’s family have served in a variety of church leadership roles throughout the past twenty years with the First Presbyterian Church of Oneida where he served as an Elder and Sunday School teacher.
His wife, Michelle, still teaches Sunday School and both of their daughters have devoted many years to the church’s music programs. Their oldest daughter, Amanda now serves as the Choir Director at Oneida First.
While Yeoman’s primary goal is the spiritual ministry of the congregations that he serves, he is also praying for a revival within the church universal.“There is far too much negative things going on all around us that we need to impact lives with the message of hope and compassion and to bring generations of families back to the church to strengthen the family unit and provide support, friendship
“There is far too much negative things going on all around us that we need to impact lives with the message of hope and compassion and to bring generations of families back to the church to strengthen the family unit and provide support, friendship and uplifting encouragement all while worshiping God together as a broader Body of Christ,” he said.
And while the goal may seem difficult, it is one that Yeoman feels is worthiest of pursuing.