Local Pastor Leaving Sewickley, Takes Position in Texas

will say farewell today to Pastor Aaron Zimmerman, along with his wife, Andrea, and their children, as he has accepted a position at a church in Houston, Texas.

Zimmerman is leaving to serve as the associate rector for outreach and families and young adults at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church in Houston. St. Stephen's will begin a search for a new assistant rector.

He said he felt it was God’s call for him to take the position, but he wasn’t planning to leave .

“We have loved this church and the Sewickley community,” he said. “St. Stephen’s is a vibrant, strong and full-of-love place. We saw ourselves here for many more years, at least.”

Zimmerman talked about the relocation during a Sewickley ministerial meeting earlier this month, telling pastors from the community that while his family is excited to answer God's calling, they are sad to go.

"We hate to see you go," the Rev. Dan Valentine of said.

In June, Zimmerman received a call from a mentor who told him that his name had been given to St. Martin’s for the position and that he would be contacted.

“Out of respect for those who had recommended me and a sense that we needed to be open to this, Andrea and I went to Houston to see the church, meet the staff and people and to see if God was calling us there,” he said. “While we were there, there were lots of big and little signs that St. Martin’s was where we were supposed to be.”

The Zimmermans became involved in St. Stephen’s in 2008 when, after graduating from Trinity School of Ministry in Ambridge, Pastor Zimmerman joined the church as the assistant rector.

He said he and his wife’s love for the Sewickley community grew strong over the years.

“We love how tightly knit this community is. We love walking everywhere and seeing people we know at every corner,” he said. “The people here are so warm and welcoming, so down-to-earth. One of my favorite memories is going to various block parties through the years here.”

For Andrea Zimmerman, being able to begin her ministry, Side by Side, which reached out to single moms, was especially meaningful.

“Also, to help people who previously felt like they were on the outside come into the life of the church was meaningful,” she said.

A team of volunteers will continue to run the ministries the couple started. Both Aaron and Andrea Zimmerman said that, at St. Stephen’s Church, they have seen the ways God works in the lives of others.

“We have also been so honored to be part of a church that has ministered in this community since 1863,” said Aaron Zimmerman.

They said they are particularly grateful to Geoff and Becca Chapman, Bill and Dana Henry and the entire church “for opening their hearts and lives to us.”

“We have been blessed beyond words,” he said.

Pastor Aaron Zimmerman will preach at all services today at St. Stephen’s. A reception will follow the 9 and 11:15 am services.