Thank you, Pastor Barry
The Rev. Barry Mariana is retiring from his position as Pastoral Life Pastor, but he’s not leaving ministry or Christ Church at Grove Farm. Thank you, Pastor Barry, for your 19 years of service, for your wisdom, compassion, and care. All of us, and all the people you helped, give you a “like.”
You cried with the hurting. You counseled the afflicted. When your cell phone beeped at 4 a.m. or on your day off, you responded. Even when you were tired, you never grew weary of helping people in understanding God’s perspective on their life. You shared the Lord’s grace and forgiveness, in the midst of their struggles, challenges, and the consequences of sin often experienced.
Usually on campus by 7:30 a.m., you missed only two days of work over the years. You were always present, guiding God’s people through spiritual crisis, addiction, divorce, depression, and marital conflict.
Multi-faceted Ministry
Pastor Barry, who joined Christ Church in 2002, supervised 16 ministries. Some of these ministries included counseling, visitations, baptisms, veteran’s outreach, funerals, DivoreCare, GriefShare and CaringMeals. He taught a course called “How People Change” and occasionally led worship at the CCGF breakfast. He oversaw and managed the Good Samaritan Fund. On Sundays, he served as our worship host, along with greeting congregants, serving on the Prayer Team and various other duties.
Well done, good and faithful servant
Asked to describe what makes Christ Church a special place, Pastor Barry, naturally, referenced other people, including our senior pastor, the Rev. Craig Gyergyo.
“The church itself is a welcoming microcosm of the Kingdom of God,” Pastor Barry said. “We have an outstanding staff that is committed to the roles in which they have been called. From the first time Katie and I visited Christ Church at Grove Farm, we felt welcomed and loved. We have always sought to reflect that same welcoming and caring spirit to those who we encounter.”
Long-time Servant
Pastor Barry puts his passion for The Great Commission into action. He planted a church, provided pastoral care on mission trips to Uganda and the Dominican Republic. He also serves on the Pittsburgh Pastoral Care Conference Planning Committee.
Easy to spot in his clergy collar, Pastor Barry grew up Catholic in the Pittsburgh area and came to faith in Christ at a Young Life retreat at Laurelville, Pennsylvania in 1971. He served for 25 years as a deacon, elder, and worship leader with New Life Fellowship, prior to joining the CCGF family. He was first ordained through New Life Fellowship in 1992. He received a second ordination through The Evangelical Church Alliance in 2007.
Not Really a Retirement, More Like a Transition
Pastor Barry said he won’t be on staff after his retirement, but he and his wife Kathie will attend worship at Christ Church and will continue to minister as the Lord directs.
Pastor Barry has five grown children and 15 grandchildren. He enjoys fly fishing and camping in the Laural Highlands and behond. His hobbies include kayaking, photography, playing guitar and gardening
Fare thee well, Pastor Barry.
