New United Protestant pastor brings wealth of experience to Grayslake

Submitted by United Protestant Church of Grayslake

Merlyn Judy Lawrence, originally from Cape Town, South Africa, is the new associate pastor of the United Protestant Church of Grayslake. She began her duties Dec. 16, 2012, replacing the Rev. Orrell Ruth, who retired from UPC after serving as associate pastor for 13 years.

Prior to studying at Chicago Theological Seminary and working in the United Church of Christ as a lay leader, Lawrence worked for 37 years as a social worker. She was actively involved in the anti-violence movement in South Africa and in the U.S., organizing communities against apartheid, sexual assault, domestic violence and all forms of violence and oppression. For the past 30 years she has coordinated counseling programs for survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence.

Lawrence has served the UCC in a variety of capacities at local, association, national and international levels. She served for two years as the Moderator of the UCC’s 26th General Synod and presided over the 26th General Synod/UCC’s 50th anniversary in Hartford, Connecticut in June 2007.

“I considered that to be a major turning point in my life. It is what led me to Chicago Theological Seminary to prepare for ordained ministry,” she said.

She is a graduate of the University of Cape Town with a Master of Social Science degree. Lawrence will receive her Master of Divinity degree from Chicago Theological Seminary in May 2013.

Lawrence and her family came to the U.S. 27 years ago. She is married to Oliver Lawrence, and they have three children and six grandchildren. At UPC, Lawrence is actively engaged in Bible studies, pastoral care visits, worship leadership, preaching and teaching.

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