Retiring Reverend Recognized By Chester Council, Given Proclamation

CHESTER, NJ — After more than a decade of service in Chester Township and Borough, Reverend Margaret Otterburn is retiring from her role at the Church of the Messiah.

Over the last 15 years, Otterburn's contributions to the surrounding community have extended beyond her congregation at the church. In her role as a public servant, Otterburn served on the boards of the Long Valley Food Pantry and the House of the Good Shepard, a senior living facility in Hackettstown.

During her time in service, she has worked to support numerous community projects, including the successful Senior Resource Center (SRC), which uses church property for low-cost classes, lectures and programs for seniors.

Otterburn has also collaborated with other members of the community to support the Festival of Trees, Homeless Solutions, Habitat for Humanity, Alcoholics Anonymous, and a variety of other ecumenical, educational and service programs.

"Margaret has given us 15 years of her time, love, care and sharing of God’s story which has brought us together as a family full of extraordinary people who take great care of each other," Current warden, Debbie Burnet said.

Otterburn has devoted many hours of service to the elderly community in the Chester area since 2007. Her contributions to Bryan Manor Nursing Home, Little Brook Nursing Home, Health Village Retirement Center and Chester Area Senior Housing were particularly recognized by the Township Council and Mayor.

"That is really the heart of Margaret I think. It's all these services she gives to the community. She loves her own congregation, she guides Chester Township and her concerns and efforts are so broad… She is a force of nature," Mayor Marcia Asdal said.