Local Church Welcomes New Pastor on Independence Day Weekend

The Independence Day weekend also marked the arrival of a new pastor at one local church.

The Church of the Good Shepherd, a United Methodist church located in Vienna, welcomed new pastor Michael Copeland with a reception following its July 5 worship service.

The Rev. Copeland comes from St. Paul United Methodist Church in Christiansburg, where he’d served the last five years. He is a graduate of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, and completed his clinical pastolar education at Medical College of Virginia Hospital.

A native of Oak Ridge, Tenn., The Rev. Copeland has worked in United Methodist churches throughout Virginia, and also spent four years in pastoral positions in Southern Baptist churches.