Farewell to Peter Pettit

After six years of deepening faith and building community as the St. Paul teaching pastor, Peter Pettit prepares for his next chapter.

When Peter saw a one-inch ad in the Christian Century magazine for a “teaching pastor” position at St. Paul in 2018, he was struck by a simple question: ‘What mainline congregation has the resources, imagination, and commitment to even think about a position like that?’

After two decades as a religious studies faculty member at Muhlenberg College, Peter and Lynn Pettit arrived in Davenport, where he began his ministry at St. Paul in June 2019.

What Peter brought to St. Paul was more than academic credentials. His previous role as the director of the Institute for Jewish-Christian Understanding prepared him uniquely for fostering the kind of deep, thoughtful engagement that has become his hallmark at St. Paul. His background in interfaith dialogue and serious scriptural study found eager reception among a congregation hungry for substance.

“St. Paul is a thoroughly uncommon congregation,” Peter said. “It’s about the people who have the commitment, the faithfulness, and curiosity to continue to explore their faith. I happen to be the person who got to facilitate that for them. It’s what has motivated me to offer the best and the most that I can.”

Peter’s work has reached outside of the church walls as well, to learn and grow alongside others. Peter helped establish the Riverside Interfaith Group, and build bridges with the Lincoln Center and Third Missionary Baptist Church. What Peter cherishes most about St. Paul is how the community embraces its identity and its members.

“The highlight of St. Paul is the way this community embraces its identity as a community of faith and embraces each other and its leadership. That remains the highlight of my time here. It’s not just talk the talk, it’s walk the walk,” he said. “People are earnest about community; building community, holding people in community, and caring for one another within the St. Paul community and the wider community.”

As Peter and Lynn prepare to move to Claremont, California, Peter’s work continues in new forms. He’ll intensify efforts on Readings from the Roots, a project translating Sunday scripture readings to offer the church interpretations closer to how first hearers would have understood them. He’ll teach online courses in interfaith leadership. He’ll also work with Pathways4Peace, providing resources for mainline Protestant denominations engaging the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The couple looks forward to joining Pilgrim Place, a community explicitly devoted to peace, justice, and creation care. Lynn will continue her stained glass artistry.

“I hope that I can grow into the kind of person that St. Paul encourages and empowers people to be,” Peter said.

Celebrating the Pettits
Peter and Lynn’s final weekend at St. Paul will be Nov. 15-16. A reception follows each worship service. Come share your gratitude and best wishes as they begin their next chapter.

An ingathering of cards with well wishes and gratitude for Peter and Lynn is invited. Drop your greeting card (to their attention) in a basket that weekend or mail your greeting to church (in their name). If you’d like to donate to a gift for Peter and Lynn, please write a check to St. Paul clearly marked for Peter and Lynn Pettit.