CNBNews

  The Trinity United Methodist Church at Eighth and Division Streets in Gloucester City has announced the appointment of its new pastor, the Rev. Dr. Richard G. Leaver.

  Dr. Leaver is a Gloucester resident who at one time was employed as a supervisor at the John-Jeffrey Corporation on Charles Street.

  He left there in the mid 80s to pursue his long-time call to ordained ministry by attending Easter Baptist Theological Seminary (EBTS) in Wynnewood, PA.

  In his second year of seminary, Dr. Leaver pastored the former Second UMC here and the First UMC in National Park.

  After the former First UMC of Gloucester and the Second UMC merged in October of 1986 to form the Trinity UMC, the reverent Leaver was appointed to the Methodist church in Riverside.

  Dr. Leaver was graduated in 1987 with a M. Div. degree and in the following year married Dalene Crowder of Gloucester City in 1988 at the Trinity UMC church in which he now pastors.

  In the following year pastor Leaver entered Drew Seminary in Madison to pursue doctoral work. In 1990 he received a Doctor of Ministry degree (D. Min.) and a Ph. D. in Religion in 1996.

  Dr. Leaver has served other Methodist congregations in Thorofare, Merchantville, Beverly, Westmont, and Cherry Hill, and has been an adjunct professor at Palmer seminary, the former EBTS.

  He is a Board Certified pastoral counselor, a Certified Spiritual Director, a professional mediator using his skills for the Burlington County Superior Courts, and has a spiritual formation, retreat and healing ministry he founded in 1999, which he has named, Journey of the Heart.

  He said he is thrilled to be back working and preaching in Gloucester City.