My name is Joyce Ann Herzog. I am privileged to be the pastor here at Manor United Church. I feel very honored to be appointed at this church. For those of you who may not know, Manor UMC is my home church. My family and I lived across the street from the church. I could walk over anytime I wanted and go into the church to just sit down. Those were the days when the church doors didn’t have to be locked.
 
One of those times when I went into the church, I brought my doggy named Rusty and my sheep named Sugar Lump. We all set on the step area of the altar and I pretended to tell them stories. I can’t tell you the reason why I did this, I just felt safe there. I was happy in the sanctuary. It was a place where I was drawn to without fully understanding why. As an adult l can now comprehend the reason; I felt the presence of God there.
 
It is awesome now to realize that what I did as a young child, spend time with Jesus, I can still do today. In the past, I told stories to my dearest furry friends, and today I sit in the same place and get the privilege to tell children about Jesus! God was preparing me even as a young child to spread his love and I am grateful to be able to continue doing so.
 
I consider myself unique in many ways. I was born in Manor, TX and have never left. I plan on staying around here until Jesus calls me to my eternal home in heaven. I am one of three children born to Carl and Helen Torn. I am the youngest and the only girl. Growing up in Manor gave me such a strong foundation of family. Relationships were important and I believe relationships are gifts from God. I was baptized at Manor UMC and went to Sunday School here. As I got older, I participated in the adult Bible Studies. I was married at the church too and both of our children were baptized here also. My life has deep roots in this church.
 
Just like many of us, I strayed from the church for a period of time. I remember that a pastor who was appointed here reached out to me when our first child was born. That act of love brought me back to the church. I want to do the same for others.
 
I knew I wanted to be a pastor very early in my adulthood, but I didn’t take any action to move forward until 2019. I went through Licensing School in UMC and was appointed to my first church in 2020. In July of 2023, I took some time off from the ministry, but God had other plans in store for me. I was asked to preach one Sunday a month at Manor UMC beginning in September 2023. Then in March 2024, I was asked to preach two Sundays. Then it happened. I was appointed to be the pastor at Manor UMC by the district in July 2024.  
 
I can’t tell you how blessed I feel in being chosen to be the pastor at Manor UMC. I take this calling seriously and pray for the strength, wisdom, and compassion daily to be a Good Shepherd. If someone would have told me years ago this would have happened, I would have told them it wasn’t possible. But in scripture, I find a different answer, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:26)
 
I know I’m not perfect, nor are we ever asked by God to be perfect. God asks us to spend time with him to learn who he is and who we are. What I know is that God has placed me in ministry to tell others about the love of Jesus. Being a shepherd to lead people to Christ is a job I take seriously and it begins with loving people where they are. That’s what Jesus does for me each day and this is what I hope to live my life telling others he will do the same for them.
 
If you want to join a group of imperfect people who are trying their best to do God’s work, then come join us here at Manor UMC. We always have room for one more.
 
You are loved,
Pastor Joyce Ann