Harrelson to retire as Episcopal pastor

Pastor Larry Harrelson. photo by Jim Cornelius After shepherding Sisters Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration through a period of rapid growth, overseeing a major construction project and weathering two health crises, Pastor Larry Harrelson is retiring from his post at the church.

He and his wife Willa will move to Boise, Idaho, where their daughter and three grandchildren live.

Harrelson said that he and the congregation had reached a crossroads, making this a good time for change.

"We've kind of completed a certain amount of work here together," he said.

The cornerstone of that work was the establishment of an Ecumenical Worship Service. That service provides worship opportunities for people of other denominations -- Presbyterian, Methodist and others -- who do not have established churches in Sisters.

The inclusion of those worshipers expanded the church community and made other things such as the construction of a new meeting hall possible.

"We carefully wove that together," Harrelson said. "I think that was kind of the heartbeat of things."

While leading the church through these changes, which doubled membership to about 200, the 60-year-old Harrelson faced two health crises.

He had successful bypass surgery in December 2001, only to find out a short time later that he has a form of non-Hodgkins lymphoma.

The pastor had to have his spleen removed in combating that disease.

Harrelson's form of cancer is a slow-growing one and he is currently in a mode of "watchful waiting" to see how his condition develops. In general, he feels well.

Having accomplished much with the church congregation and now dealing with a reduced level of energy, Harrelson wants to spend time with family, do some writing and pursue his interest in music.

When he gets to Boise, he may do some volunteer work with the 116th Cavalry Brigade, where he served as a Chaplain, ministering to the families of those deployed in Iraq.

But not yet.

"I'm just going to take a little break here initially," he said.

The diocese will provide a one-year interim pastor while the church launches a search for a new permanent pastor. The search process is expected to take the full year of the specially-trained interim's tenure.

Harrelson said that, despite the inevitable sadness of a departure after a nine-year relationship, the congregation has been upbeat.

"I'm really touched because I think they're really happy for us," the pastor said.

"There are good people in this congregation."

Harrelson's last Sunday at the church will be June 6.

There will be a special service on Monday, June 7, at 5:30 p.m. to mark the departure of the pastor, followed by a reception at 7 p.m.