General News: Pastor to Leave Presbyterian Church

Pastor Dan Russell

The pastor of Cornwall Presbyterian Church, Daniel Russell, will be leaving his position on June 30.

Pastor Russell joined the congregation as its pastor nearly six years ago and his outgoing personality and community spirit made its mark on those he came in contact with throughout the Cornwall area.

Russell said in an interview that he is leaving the Cornwall Presbyterian Church after what he said was a power struggle with some of the elders of the church.  “I have a mission to question sensibilities, step on toes and preach the Good News without abandon,” Russell said referring to his style that apparently was at the root of disagreements. “I’m not one to fit in easily.”  

He said that a representative of the Presbyterian church, Susan Andrews, attempted to mediate some of the differences that arose but in the end he realized that God was calling him to a new mission.  Ms. Andrews was not available to comment but, according to Russell, she will be preaching at the church on July 12.

Pastor Dan, as he is known to many, said that he was most proud of the work he has done in creating the Cornwall Cares About Youth organization that is designed to reach out to young people in the area.  Indicating his belief that the organization will flourish, Russell said he expects to reading about it for years to come.

For the next six months Russell plans to be on sabbatical, when he intends to do some heavy labor to refresh himself and re-tool. Meanwhile, he remains philosophical about his departure from a church and a community that he grew to love. “I remained a sojourner the whole time,” he said. “I felt in my bones that I was going to be an interim pastor, the one who removes large stones from the field.”
 

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