By MaryAnn Kromer
Staff Writer
mkromer@advertiser-tribune.com
Article Photos
The Rev. Katie Treadway celebrated her first anniversary of pastor at First Presbyterian Church in Tiffin.
This month, the Rev. Katie Treadway celebrated her first anniversary as pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Tiffin. The Florida native attended college in Tennessee and said she had not experienced the amount of snow that falls in northern Ohio.
"It's new to me, but I'm really enjoying it. I don't like driving in it," Treadway said.
She met her husband at Bellmont University in Nashville, where they earned their undergraduate degrees as religion majors. Treadway said she felt called to ministry as an undergraduate, but couldn't decide "how to make it work." Her husband encouraged her to try the seminary, so she enrolled at Vanderbilt Divinity School, also in Nashville.
"I was raised in a Baptist household. In fact, so was my husband. We were both raised Southern Baptist, so the move to the Presbyterian church was different. After I realized I wouldn't be able to serve in the Baptist church because they wouldn't allow females to be ministers, at least in the church I grew up in, I began to work at a Methodist church. I loved the Methodist church," Treadway said. "Then I got a job in the Presbyterian church and really felt like it was part of who I was. I appreciate the connectedness of the Presbyterian church."
Instead of working independently, Treadway said, the Presbyterian churches tend to collaborate in many ways. She said her varied background has given her an ecumenical point of view. During the holidays, she helped out at First Lutheran Church in Tiffin and participated in the Lessons and Carols at Old Trinity Episcopal Church.
"There's a lot we can do together. Our main focus is the same, no matter what background our religion comes from," Treadway said.
Her first job was as a Christian educator and youth director in Nashville. Her prior assignment was seven years at a small rural congregation in Sebring, Fla. Many of the church members were retirees.
"I loved the people and miss the people. ... It was hard to say goodbye to them," Treadway said.
The Treadways have two daughters in grades four and six. The pastor called coming to Tiffin "a good move for all of us."
When she is not working, Treadway enjoys attending productions at The Ritz Theatre, playing piano and completing arts and crafts projects with her family.
Her older daughter is in band, and the younger girl is in the school choir. Both are cheerleaders in Findlay. Treadway said the people of Tiffin have made her feel at home.
"I'm really enjoying the people. They are welcoming and hospitable and open to new and creative ideas. I call myself 'the creative pastor.' While I'm traditional, I also like to incorporate a lot of new things and discover God among us in new ways," Treadway said.
