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JOHN BALZCongregants feel grief as they bid goodbye to their associate pastor and thankful for all she has done for the church.
The congregation came to roast its departing pastor, the Rev. Kathy Conner, but ended up dousing her with love. She's a woman of faith, after all. How can you tease her when God's on her side?
Conner, associate pastor at the Palma Ceia Presbyterian Church, is leaving after 20 years to join her husband, Fitz, also a pastor, at the First Presbyterian Church of Tampa on Zack Street. More than 150 well-wishers crowded the Palma Ceia church's second-floor gym for a final send-off April 23.
They ate chocolate cake, sang and watched a slide show of memorable Conner moments. Dry eyes were a challenge to find.
"I came in crying," Conner said. "I was grateful for the chances to laugh. It was just bittersweet."
Born in Germany, where her father was stationed as a U.S. Army colonel, Conner joined the staff at Palma Ceia Presbyterian on San Jose Street in 1983 as a youth group director. In her first 10 years, membership doubled at the church, which currently has about 2,000 members.
Those who spoke praised Conner as a tireless worker, gifted minister, loving mother and quiet pioneer who was one of the first females ordained in the church's ministry.
The church gave Conner a platter inscribed with scripture passages and a chaise lounge as going-away gifts.
Conner even got credit for events she didn't have anything to do with. In a doctored slide of the famous photo of President Richard Nixon and Elvis Presley shaking hands in the White House, a smiling Conner stood in between the two men.
"Kathy can take credit for introducing them" joked Marc Turner, the evening's emcee.
K.K. Cooper organized an original song and dance routine featuring her and a group of "Kathy Wannabees," each sporting a wig of curly black hair a la Conner. (Actually, Conner's hair is closer to a dark brown than black.)
"I feel the grief and the loss of her leaving," Cooper said. "And her joy."
At First Presbyterian Church, Conner will serve as a parish associate pastor, supervising the youth ministry staff and building the women's ministry.
Palma Ceia's head pastor, the Rev. John DeBevoise, played one of the dancing "Wannabees." And, yes, he donned a wig.
DeBevoise marveled at Conner's talent for reaching young people and for what he called "personal evangelism."
"It certainly is the end of a chapter," he said. "Kathy has been the pastor life of this church."
The toughest ribbing probably came from Turner's wife, Lisa, who mimicked Conner's sweet, genial and ultimately successful arm-twisting to corral members into volunteering for church events.
"You can't say no to her," she said.
In a closing speech to her admirers, Conner made reference to her enthusiastic persuasion and to those who have, somewhat guiltily, skipped out on church services.
"When I see you in Publix," she told the crowd, "I know you won't run from me."
- John Balz can be reached at (813) 226-3401 or at balz@sptimes.com