- January 29, 2025
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The Rev. Julia Piermont's installation service was held on Feb. 4 at Christ Church of Longboat Key.
Photo by Petra RiveraThe Rev. Julia Piermont's pastor colleagues from Longboat Key and around the country
Photo by Petra RiveraThe Rev. Julia Piermont and Dennis Piermont
Photo by Petra RiveraThe Rev. Richard Culp
Photo by Petra RiveraThe Rev. Laurie Haas and Michael Chester
Photo by Petra RiveraThe Rev. Julia Piermont
Photo by Petra RiveraPresbyterian elders and ordained clergy from all faiths put their hands on the Rev. Julia Piermont while praying the prayer of installation on Feb. 4 at Christ Church of Longboat Key.
Photo by Petra RiveraDennis and Julia Piermont
Photo by Petra RiveraThe Rev. Norman Pritchard
Photo by Petra RiveraDoug Haddix
Photo by Petra RiveraChrist Church of Longboat Key installed its first full-time pastor on Feb. 4
Photo by Petra RiveraThe Rev. Julia Piermont and Michael Chester
Photo by Petra RiveraThe Rev. Julia Piermont
Photo by Petra RiveraThe Rev. Nancy Deming, the Rev. David Marshall and the Rev. Brock Patterson
Photo by Petra RiveraThe Rev. Norman Pritchard, the Rev. Melana Scruggs, the Rev. Juila Piermont and the Rev. Bruce Porter
Photo by Petra RiveraChurch communities of Longboat Key came together to celebrate the installation of the first full-time pastor and first woman pastor of Christ Church of Longboat Key.
The installation of the Rev. Julia Piermont took place Feb. 4.
Piermont’s pastor colleagues came to support her at the special service. The Rev. Brock Patterson of the Longboat Island Chapel, the Rev. David Marshall of All Angels By the Sea Episcopal Church, the the Rev. Nancy Deming of All Angels, Ruling Presbyterian Elder Doug Haddix of Worthington Presbyterian Church in Ohio, the Rev. Richard Culp from St. Andrew Presbyterian Church in Texas, and the Rev. Melana Scruggs of Peace River Presbytery in Port Charlotte were part of the 220 attendees at the service.
Previous Christ Church pastors, the Rev. Norman Pritchard and the Rev. Bruce Porter, also attended. Both worked part-time at Christ Church, never calling for an installation. As the first full-time pastor, Piermont had the honor of having the first-ever installation service at Christ Church.
“Pastor Julia opened our eyes to putting our full trust in Jesus, even with discomfort,” said Haddix, from Piermont’s previous congregation, in the service. “Before Pastor Julia arrived, our church had gone through a two-year interim period. Her boldness gave us more courage. Her trust in God gave us confidence. She didn't put the wind in our sails, she helped us trust that God will do that. So may it be for Christ Church that all of you move forward together powered by the Holy Spirit with Julia as your captain, like she did for us.”
The Rev. Laurie Haas led the installation ceremony. This included Piermont reciting “The Litany of the Gifts,” promises and vows.
The end of the ceremony had all elders in the Presbyterian Church and ordained clergy from different faiths who attended the service putting their hands on Piermont and praying the prayer of installation. Piermont ended the service by blessing the attendants.
“I feel surrounded by great support,” said Piermont. “It is a humbling feeling on the one hand. The service made me very humbled and, on the other hand, very powered by prayer. I’m so grateful for my colleagues being here. It is a huge gift for them to give that kind of support.”
