An Interview with
The Rev . Katherine Glaze Lyle
Chairperson , Partners for Sacred Places by Pamela Green
Director of Marketing and Communications , Partners for Sacred Places
Photo : Archdiocese of Baltimore
T
he Rev . Katherine Glaze Lyle has been the Chairperson of Partners for over two years , leading its Board and encouraging its staff to find creative ways to face challenges and find new opportunities to serve . Pamela Green , Partners ’ Director of Marketing and Communications , sat down with Lyle for a revealing interview about the current state and future possibilities for America ’ s sacred places .
Pamela Green : “ Katherine , you are a woman of deep and abiding faith . You have been the pastor of several churches , and you are a well-loved and respected leader in the United Methodist Church . Given your depth of experiences , what is your personal view of Sacred Places and the value they offer communities ?”
Katherine Glaze Lyle : “ Sacred places matter . These holy places represent the community and all that holds it together . Religious structures , grand or modest , give people a place to gather , worship , fellowship , and enjoy some of life ’ s most precious and meaningful moments like weddings and baptisms .
As a minister , I also recognize that people can and should gather anywhere the spirit leads them , be it on a mountaintop or in a building . However , the life-changing experiences we have imbue the space with significance . Those shared moments give these sacred spaces a level of importance that goes beyond their practical value reflecting something more transcendent and meaningful .”
PG : “ Many congregations across the country are shrinking for various reasons . Some would say it is time to rethink and reimagine the way leadership approaches problem-solving . What
Photo courtesy of Kim Leeson
8 SACRED PLACES • SUMMER 2021