Presbyterian Church of Catasauqua, 210 Pine St., announced it will soon have a new pastor - the Rev. Robert “Bobby” Thomas Newman.

The Pulpit Nominating Committee presented the unanimous-choice candidate to the congregation via Zoom at a congregational meeting Nov. 15. Janet Dorwart, the clerk of session, made the public announcement. The clerk of session takes the minutes for the session and maintains all the church’s ledgers of membership, births, baptisms, deaths and elders. The session is the group of elected church leaders that govern the church.

Newman will assume his pastoral duties Jan. 1, 2021. He was both in Memphis, Tenn., and currently resides in Jacksonville, Fla.

Newman received a Bachelor of Arts degree in 2010 from the University of Mississippi in Oxford, a Master of Divinity in 2015 from Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, Ga., and a Master of Theology in 2020 from Duke University Divinity School in Durham, N.C.

Newman served in several youth ministry positions before entering the seminary. Following the receipt of his divinity degree, he served as a clinical pastoral education chaplaincy resident for Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.

Ordained as a Minister of Word and Sacrament in April 2017 by the Coastal Carolina Presbytery, Newman became an associate pastor to a church in Fayetteville, N.C.

The congregation in Catasauqua happily anticipates a good New Year, with a new pastor in place. Newman will be residing in Bethlehem with his trusty friend, Hank, a golden retriever.

Newman is looking forward to serving the Presbyterian Church of Catasauqua, the local community and Lehigh Presbytery, as well as bringing the Word of God to all who have ears to hear.