Delmar Presbyterian bids farewell to Larry Deyss, its pastor of 30 years
After three decades as the face and faith of Delmar Presbyterian Church, Pastor Larry Deyss will be stepping down from the pulpit. He was the church’s second pastor.
Deyss’ first day as pastor was March 1, 1981, and since then he has led the congregation to greater outreach work and overseen an expansion to the church’s facilities to include a new fellowship hall, education wing and library that has greatly increased the Delaware Avenue church’s community utility.
Deyss described landing in Delmar as not unlike finding any other job: he applied after being told of the position by friends in Delmar. His resume includes credentials from the Princeton Theological Seminary and time as the executive presbyter of the Presbytery of Elizabeth, N.J., serving 50 congregations with 14,000 members.
During his ministry, the Delmar Presbyterian Church has grown slightly in membership,which in Deyss said he’s quite pleased with in today’s world of declining church attendance, especially considering that the congregation of about 150is made up of active, community-minded worshipers.
If you’re able to keep even or a little bit ahead, you’re really doing well, he said. `It has been solid growth. It’s people who join and really become a part of the church.`
Deyss said he’s particularly proud of the formation of an ecumenical youth group with neighboring churches. Now about 90 members strong, the teens make mission trips all over the area to help out where it’s needed.
`It reaches a lot of kids in the area and I’m pretty pleased about that,` Deyss said.
The church also does work to help the less fortunate, including holding collections for food pantries and doing work with groups like Interfaith Partnership for the Homeless and the Schuyler Inn in Menands.
Keeping the church and its members part of the community has been the central tenant of Deyss’ ministry, and he said he hopes that it stays that way as he hands over the reins.
`I think that we’re living in a time when it’s particularly important for us to keep on affirming community,` he said. `Sometimes when people get so busy relationships can slide, but I think community is extremely important and I think we should support it.`
About 150 current and past members of the church recently gathered at Normanside Country Club to honor Deyss.
`For 30 years the members of the Delmar Presbyterian Church have been truly blessed to have Larry Deyss as their Pastor,` congregation member Mark Hansen said. `He has helped our community, nourished our spirits, strengthened our faith and enriched our lives. Everyone in the congregation wishes Larry a long, happy and healthy retirement.`
Deyss said he has no special plans for retirement, but looks forwards to birding, writing and spending time with his grandchildren. His wife, Christine, is the executive director of Prevent Child Abuse New York and they plan to continue living in Delmar.
Robert Foltz-Morrison has been selected to serve as Interim Pastor, and will assume that office July 5. A search will be conducted to find the next pastor of the congregation.
`We are excited to have been able to attract an individual with Bob’s talent, education and energy. We look forward to working with him during this important time of transition in our church,` said Doug Hamlin, a member of the Interim Pastor Search Committee.
The search is expected to take one to two years.“
