Dawson County resident, the Rev. Pat Anderson, became the first Minister of Compassion and an Assistance Pastor at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Dawsonville early last month.

“I served as a hospice chaplain for five years at a local facility, and have offered pastoral care to those in our church and community,” Anderson said. “We came up with the title Minister of Compassion as a way of reaching those in our church and the Dawson County community who are in need of spiritual care when going through challenging times.

Anderson was ordained and installed in her new role March 10 by Rev. Ben Laughlin and Mr. Jim Marden, members of the Presbytery at the South, ECO. 

She received her Master of Divinity (MDiv) from Columbia Seminary, holds a Certificate in Spiritual Formation and is ordained into the ECO Presbyterian denomination.

As her first act serving the church, she ordained and installed the first Session for Trinity, whose members are Susie Bergman, Fred Morris, Doug Powell, Vic Wallace and Dr. Larry Anderson.

"I think Pat has the heart, the spirit, and an incredible dedication to the people of Dawson County," Doug Powell said. "We are so blessed to have her."

Founded in 2015, Trinity Presbyterian has a small but growing congregation.

Trinity's mission is to be a Christ-centered community, faithfully building bridges to their neighbors so that each may experience the love and life-changing grace of Jesus Christ.

Services are 10:30 a.m. Sundays at Dawson County Fire Station No. 2, near Tractor Supply Co., on Hwy. 53 East.

The church recently purchased two acres of land on Lumpkin Campground Road to build a permanent home.