Reverend Susan Thorpe Hitts
Since 2017
Our pastor, Susan Hitts, is excited to serve in the area where she was raised. Susan was born in
Petoskey, raised in Alanson, and held her first job as a bank teller in the drive through of a Harbor Springs bank. She serves a group of people that she loves in a place that she calls home.
Pastor Susan began at Harbor Springs United Methodist on July 17, 2016. During her first year in our church, she shared her position with her husband, Randy. Pastor Randy Hitts was reappointed to Charlevoix United Methodist Church on July 1, 2017. He continues to serve there today.
Susan and Randy have six children and three grandchildren. Elise and David are attending Michigan State University and Kate attends Charlevoix Public Schools.
In 2019, Susan completed her seminary education by earning a Masters of Divinity degree at United Theological Seminary. Prior to seminary, Susan earned an undergraduate degree in business with a major in finance from Michigan State University. She continued her education with a Masters in Business Administration from Central Michigan University and teaching credentials earned at Ferris State University. She feels this diverse road of business, teaching, and faith have connected beautifully to prepare her for pastoral ministry.
Susan has been commissioned as a provisional elder in the United Methodist Church effective July 1, 2020. She will be ordained by The United Methodist Church on June 3, 2023. Susan has been moved to a new position as the Pastor of Manchester, Michigan's United Methodist Church as of July 1, 2023. The Harbor Springs UMC will sincerely miss her infectious laugh and ministry and awaits the appointment of a new pastor for its congregation.
When asked what her passion in ministry is by that ordaining body she responded: "I am passionate about people integrating faith into their everyday lives and applying Scripture to their current circumstances. The word of God is still living and active now, and faith still matters.
Therefore, my deepest joy in ministry is in participating in Bible Studies that encourage attendees to discover what the words mean in their lives or preaching messages that look at the historical but connect to the current. As a pastor, I find it deeply satisfying to be present in important moments in the lives of congregants. I enjoy baptizing, bringing communion to shut-ins at our weekly nursing home service, officiating weddings, and being present at the end of life. I appreciate the opportunity to live a life of faith with those in my community. These are also moments where faith and life connect. In seminary, I was taught, “If you preach anything, preach hope.” I believe that hope is found in the personal and continual work of God in humanity. It is the understanding that faith matters in daily life which brings hope. Therefore, I seek to remind people that faith still matters, Jesus still loves, the Holy Spirit still leads, and God has not forgotten us."
Petoskey, raised in Alanson, and held her first job as a bank teller in the drive through of a Harbor Springs bank. She serves a group of people that she loves in a place that she calls home.
Pastor Susan began at Harbor Springs United Methodist on July 17, 2016. During her first year in our church, she shared her position with her husband, Randy. Pastor Randy Hitts was reappointed to Charlevoix United Methodist Church on July 1, 2017. He continues to serve there today.
Susan and Randy have six children and three grandchildren. Elise and David are attending Michigan State University and Kate attends Charlevoix Public Schools.
In 2019, Susan completed her seminary education by earning a Masters of Divinity degree at United Theological Seminary. Prior to seminary, Susan earned an undergraduate degree in business with a major in finance from Michigan State University. She continued her education with a Masters in Business Administration from Central Michigan University and teaching credentials earned at Ferris State University. She feels this diverse road of business, teaching, and faith have connected beautifully to prepare her for pastoral ministry.
Susan has been commissioned as a provisional elder in the United Methodist Church effective July 1, 2020. She will be ordained by The United Methodist Church on June 3, 2023. Susan has been moved to a new position as the Pastor of Manchester, Michigan's United Methodist Church as of July 1, 2023. The Harbor Springs UMC will sincerely miss her infectious laugh and ministry and awaits the appointment of a new pastor for its congregation.
When asked what her passion in ministry is by that ordaining body she responded: "I am passionate about people integrating faith into their everyday lives and applying Scripture to their current circumstances. The word of God is still living and active now, and faith still matters.
Therefore, my deepest joy in ministry is in participating in Bible Studies that encourage attendees to discover what the words mean in their lives or preaching messages that look at the historical but connect to the current. As a pastor, I find it deeply satisfying to be present in important moments in the lives of congregants. I enjoy baptizing, bringing communion to shut-ins at our weekly nursing home service, officiating weddings, and being present at the end of life. I appreciate the opportunity to live a life of faith with those in my community. These are also moments where faith and life connect. In seminary, I was taught, “If you preach anything, preach hope.” I believe that hope is found in the personal and continual work of God in humanity. It is the understanding that faith matters in daily life which brings hope. Therefore, I seek to remind people that faith still matters, Jesus still loves, the Holy Spirit still leads, and God has not forgotten us."
Front Row: Kate & Elise Hitts and Fritz, the dog!
Back Row: Pastor Randy Hitts at Charlevoix UMC, David Hitts & Pastor Susan!
