First Presbyterian Church of Magnolia will welcome its new pastor, the Rev. Hal Shafer, and his wife, Tici, to Magnolia this week.
Rev. Shafer comes to Magnolia from Van Wert, Ohio, where he has ministered the past 9 years.
He succeeds the Rev. Mike Morgan, who retired earlier this year.
Rev. Shafter will preach his first sermon to the congregation at 10:45 a.m. Sunday at the church, 1417 N. Jackson.
Shafer and Tici (short for Patrice, a nickname created by her brother), have two grown children, Matthew and Katie. They also have a grandson, and twin granddaughters.
Shafer graduated from Mount Union College (now Mount Union University) in Alliance, Ohio, with a major in English, and minors in art and business. He also attended the San Francisco Art Academy. Journeying with Jesus, his calling grew from his English degree into his art degree, and with the support of Tici, he grew to realize his true calling.
He received his master of divinity in pastoral care and practical theology from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. He was ordained in 2002. “The Lord set the stage for me to become a minister. Being called young in my life, at the age of eight years old, our Lord trained me from that time to know Him and what He expected,” Shafer said.
Tici Shafer’s love for the arts and style encouraged her at a young age to design jewelry. She began designing jewelry upon meeting a jewelry designer whom she loved, and who taught her how to start designing.
“We are both excited to move to the charming town of Magnolia to begin our new life, keeping the light of God’s love of creativity in family alive in the love of the people, always,” he said.
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