New pastor comes to Cary United Methodist Church

Cary United Methodist Church has a new pastor, Norval Brown, leading its congregation, according to a news release.

Brown’s first priority after joining the 132-year-old church is “getting to know the congregation and this community,” he said in a Q&A article provided to the Northwest Herald.

“Maintaining connections with one another is difficult when so much is being done via Zoom,” he said. “I find myself writing letters (not emails) and making phone calls to stay connected. Every Wednesday afternoon, I host a free conference call with scripture, meditation and prayer, especially for those members without access to Wi-Fi.”

Brown was born and raised in Brandywine, Maryland, which is located 25 miles outside of Washington, D.C., according to the article. He grew up working in tobacco fields, participating in 4-H and played basketball and baseball in high school.

He knew he wanted to be a pastor when he was 9 years old, and he attended the University of Chicago, where he studied religion and the humanities. He obtained a Master of Divinity from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary and a Doctor of Ministry from Chicago Theological Seminary.

Brown has led parishes as a pastor for Methodist churches in the Chicago neighborhoods of Woodlawn and West Englewood, as well as in the towns of Maywood, Aurora, Homewood and Deerfield.

The church offers services at
9 a.m. each Sunday online via a link posted on its Facebook page.