White woman appointed pastor at all-black south Georgia church

THOMASVILLE - When United Church of Christ pastor Elaine Sipe moved to Thomasville in January, it was only natural for her to look up the local church in her denomination. <br> <br> That the church had an all-black congregation wasn&#39;t a concern for Sipe, who last weekend was installed as Bethany Congregational Church&#39;s first white or first woman pastor. <br> <br> Sipe says, ``The transition has been very smooth. It&#39;s very natural for me to be here. I am at most in awe of the congregation&#39;s commitment and love of each other and of their community. They&#39;re very active in this town. Those things and their acceptance of me as their pastor touches my heart.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> It is the third black church the 67-year-old Sipe has pastored. She said the United Church of Christ opposed slavery in the 1800s and has always had a strong link between blacks and whites. <br> <br> Still, some people in the community cautioned her about attending the church when she arrived in Thomasville. <br> <br> Sipe said, ``A lot of people in Thomasville, they said, `We don&#39;t know if they&#39;ll accept you at that church,&#39; and I said, `Well, I&#39;ll try it.&#39;&#39;&#39; <br> <br> The head of the church council said the church didn&#39;t hesitate to name Sipe as its new pastor after their previous pastor, the Reverend L.T. Overby, became ill this winter. <br> <br> Sipe moved to the south Georgia town in January and by March was named to replace the ailing Overby. Already, she has started a prayer and Bible study group during lunch on Wednesdays, as well as a children&#39;s choir.