Our Present. Our Past.
YOUR Future…
Church of the Saviour is in a wonderful place in our journey as a church family. Known as a very warm and welcoming church, you will feel like a part of our family when greeted with a friendly smile and handshake as you walk through our door!
Beginning in 1865, and through several evangelical mergers, our church has been a faithful servant of Jesus Christ in our community. In 1968, we became a part of the United Methodist Church, and after several relocations, we built our “forever home” in 2005 on 22 acres of land on the East side of Hoover Reservoir in Westerville on Fancher Road.
As we live out our daily lives together, we continue to grow in our faith and look forward to our future, as we know God has a plan for us and for you!
Our Pastor
Rev. Courtnie Morton and family
Pastor
Pastor Courtnie Morton grew up in Caldwell, Ohio. In high school, she began to feel a call to ministry to shepherd churches to grow closer to God and one another. She became licensed as a Local Pastor in 2012 and served as an interim pastor to Derwent UMC, Bethlehem UMC, and Byesville Trinity UMC as she finished her undergraduate degree. Pastor Courtnie graduated from Muskingum University in 2013 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Humanities: Art, Religion, Theatre, and Speech Communication with a minor in Psychology. She then served Sugar Grove UMC. Pastor Courtnie is continuing her studies through the Course of Study Program of the UMC.
Some of Pastor Courtnie’s favorite aspects of ministry are visiting, caring for others, music, and growing in grace and faith with each other through study and fellowship. Her passion in ministry is to provide a grace-filled atmosphere, so all people can come to know the love and grace of God, that they are valued, and have a home in the Body of Christ.
Pastor Courtnie and her family live in the Columbus area. They enjoy being in a community of faith, spending time with their family, traveling, and enjoying the outdoors!
Ranhee Kim is our Music Director in charge of our Praise Band and Choir. Ranhee was born in and grew up in Korea. She received her Bachelor of Music degree from Ewha Womans University and her master of Music Degree from Keimyung University, specialized in vocal music and theatre. She has previously served as an instructor with the undergraduate college music program at the Christian Music College in Korea. She continued her music study and received her Diploma in Music at AIDA (Accademia Internazionale Delle Arti) at ARAM Scuola Internazionale di Perfezionamento Musicale in Italy. Ranhee has given concerts in Seoul, Korea; Dortmund, Germany; Rome, Italy; Tempe, Arizona; and Elkton, Maryland. She also won an award in the National Award of Teachers of Singing Artist Award Competition in 2007 and won 1st place in Arizona in 2011. She has given piano lessons to students for over 20 years, and served as the pianist at churches in Delaware and Ohio for many years.
Deb Gifford is Administrative Assistant to Pastor Courtnie Morton and is also our Church Treasurer. Deb grew up in Parma Heights, Ohio and graduated from The Ohio State University with a bachelor’s degree in Journalism. She retired from Ross Laboratories, Division of Abbott Laboratories after 27 years of service. While there Deb held several positions at Abbott, most notably as Program Manager, Infant Nutritionals. Deb is an active member of our church and has been married 13 years to her husband, Michael, who is also a member. They reside in Westerville. In her spare time, Deb enjoys gardening, reading, traveling (with an emphasis on historical sites), and antiquing.
Sharan Ritzman is our Childcare Coordinator, as well as one of the Trustees of our church. She grew up in Grove City, Ohio and moved to Westerville in the 70’s, where she and her husband, Steve, lived until four years ago when they decided to down-size and move to Sunbury, Ohio. Sharan attended Grove City United Methodist Church as a child and young adult, and became a member of Church of the Saviour in 2006. She is known as “Grandma Sharan” at our church because of her love for children. She and Steve are grandparents to five of their own grandchildren, as well as many “adopted” neighborhood kids. Sharan and Steve have been married for 18 years and enjoy many outdoor activities and vacationing at the beach.