From Banking to Belonging

After retiring from a lifelong career in the banking industry, Glenn and his wife, Marcia, moved to Myrtle Beach from Bethlehem, PA. He started as a teller and eventually moved up the corporate ladder, including roles as a branch manager, a loan officer, and a commercial lending officer.

Back in Pennsylvania, Glenn and Marcia had been actively engaged in their local congregation. So, when they arrived in Myrtle Beach, it was only natural for them to seek out a new spiritual home. Thus, their St. Philip story began.

After serving in their church in PA, they wanted a church that fit them well. Their search led to St. Philip one Sunday in 2006, and they were hooked. What was it about St. Philip that drew them in? “Friendliness!” Glenn enthusiastically recalled. “I found everyone so welcoming and friendly.” He fondly remembers the connections he made during a Wednesday evening Lenten service, where not only friendships were formed but also a deep sense of spiritual fulfillment.

Glenn and Marcia found themselves embraced by a vibrant and welcoming community. They immediately felt a sense of belonging, and that sense of community became the cornerstone of their new chapter in life.

Then, life took an unexpected turn with the passing of Marcia. In this time of profound loss, Glenn found himself surrounded by the very friendships that had drawn them to St. Philip. The community rallied around him with warmth, kindness, and unwavering support. It was a testament to the genuine connections they had formed within the church.

"They were so warm, kind, and supportive that I could only repay them with my service to St. Philip,” Glenn reflects.

Today, Glenn continues to be an active and integral part of the St. Philip community. He is serving in his second stint on the Church Council, participates in the endowment committee, and helps feed the homeless every month. However, his proudest moment of service was being the chairperson of the call committee that brought Pastor Jason to St. Philip. Through his dedication, Glenn perpetuates the legacy of community and friendship that first drew him and Marcia to this loving church family.

Glenn and Marcia's journey from banking to retirement in Myrtle Beach was marked by their discovery of a close-knit community and enduring friendships at St. Philip Lutheran Church. Even in times of loss, the church's warmth and kindness led Glenn to dedicate himself to its mission of friendship, belonging, and service.