Leaders of faith - Letter to Editor  N&O June 24, 2006

Two legendary Durham pastors will step down from their pulpits after a combined 67 years in ministry to Durham on Sunday. The Rev. Percy High has been pastor at Mount Vernon Baptist Church for 34 years. Across town, the Rev. Haywood Holderness will leave Westminster Presbyterian Church after 33 years as pastor.

Both have given tremendous leadership and pastoral care to their congregations. In addition, both have provided exceptional vision for our city. Percy High has served as president of the NAACP and the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance. He has worked to build community and to care for those in need.

Haywood Holderness has been tireless in his support of those in need. In addition to being president of Durham Congregations in Action and serving as chair of the board for the Durham County Department of Social Services, he has led numerous fundraising efforts to support programs assisting those who live on the margins.

Both of them have worked to build bridges across lines that have historically divided us. They worked together to provide a shelter for the homeless in Durham.

It is a privilege to call Percy High and Haywood Holderness our friends and colleagues in ministry. We say "well done" to these remarkable pastors and look forward to where God leads them next. We wish them well in retirement and rejoice that they will remain in Durham.

The Rev. Joseph S. Harvard

Pastor, First Presbyterian Church

Bishop Elroy Lewis

Pastor, Fisher Memorial United Holy Church

Durham