Helping people has always been a part of the Rev. Joy Smith's life.

Whenever she can, Smith, 50, always wants to be there for people whether its through laughter or tears.

The new pastor at Presbyterian Church of the Apostles in Burnsville grew up in Atlanta. Becoming a pastor came out of her desire to help others.

"I had planned to be a therapist, but then realized I missed the community aspect of the church and rituals like leading worship and baptism.

"I wanted to be in people's lives from birth to the funeral and in therapy you're only with people for an hour a week," Smith said of her pastoral path.

Smith was installed as the new pastor Sunday, Sept. 28, and is happy to be part of the community.

"The church has a visible presence in the Twin Cities area for being a socially engaged congregation and doing the work of Jesus in the world," Smith said. "My vision is to continue having a strong identity as an inclusive place where all are welcome."

The church had been looking for a full-time pastor for little more than a year. The Rev. David Broog was serving as interim pastor for about a year and is now in Rochester. The church's previous pastor was the Rev. Terry Roos who had been there six years and moved onto another church in Minnesota.

Smith discovered the Burnsville church online and came for the first interview last December. She was invited to preach at a neutral pulpit for the church's pastoral nominating committee about a month later and preached for the congregation in February.

"We went through an extensive interview process and Joy just fit our needs in terms of theology, worship style and overall personality," said Kathryn Breitbarth, co-chair of the nominating committee.

Smith was drawn to the church's commitment to being a more light Presbyterian congregation that offers full participation regardless of sexual orientation.

"By being an inclusive, welcoming person offering hospitality to everyone it shows how you understand what Jesus is about and we are called to be about," Smith said. "I knew I wanted to be in a more progressive presbytery and the Twin Cities area has reputation of that."

Over the past 15 years of her life Smith has served many churches all over the United States from Arizona to Illinois and most recently Florida.

"Each place has its own culture and personality, gifts and challenges," Smith said.

Smith wasn't ordained into the ministry until 1993. She completed a fellowship in psychotherapy at the Center for Religion and Psychotherapy in Chicago and has a bachelor's degree in psychology from Presbyterian College in Clinton, S.C. Smith has a master's degree from the Presbyterian School of Christian Education in Richmond, Va. where she is a doctoral candidate at the Union Theological Seminary. Smith also has a master of divinity degree from the Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, Ga.

Smith has a home in Burnsville with her children Katie, 16, and Hunter, 14. Katie attends the School of Environmental Studies in Apple Valley and Hunter attends Apple Valley High School.

Her husband, Chuck Paulson, remains in Florida where he is the director of the honors program and associate professor of biology at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville. Paulson is looking at career opportunities in the Twin Cities area before moving north. He is not new to the area as he is a St. Olaf College graduate and grew up in the Mankato area.

(You are invited to comment about this story on our website at www.mnsun.com and/or write a letter to the editor at suncurrentsouth@acnpapers.com.)

Over the past 15 years of her life Smith has served many churches all over the United States from Arizona to Illinois and most recently Florida.

"Each place has its own culture and personality, gifts and challenges," Smith said.

Smith wasn't ordained into the ministry until 1993. She completed a fellowship in psychotherapy at the Center for Religion and Psychotherapy in Chicago and has a bachelor's degree in psychology from Presbyterian College in Clinton, S.C. Smith has a master's degree from the Presbyterian School of Christian Education in Richmond, Va. where she is a doctoral candidate at the Union Theological Seminary. Smith also has a master of divinity degree from the Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, Ga.

Smith has a home in Burnsville with her children Katie, 16, and Hunter, 14. Katie attends the School of Environmental Studies in Apple Valley and Hunter attends Apple Valley High School.

Her husband, Chuck Paulson, remains in Florida where he is the director of the honors program and associate professor of biology at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville. Paulson is looking at career opportunities in the Twin Cities area before moving north. He is not new to the area as he is a St. Olaf College graduate and grew up in the Mankato area.

(You are invited to comment about this story on our website at www.mnsun.com and/or write a letter to the editor at suncurrentsouth@acnpapers.com.)