Meet our New Pastor Rev. Melanie Kim-Hamill

We warmly and officially welcome Rev. Melanie Kim-Hamill as our new Pastor at Palmetto Presbyterian Church. Pastor Melanie has been a friend of our church over the past few months as she has regularly filled our pulpit.  Melanie is wife to Jeff, a registered Nurse of 30 years who is a very handy person who enjoys outdoor adventures and makes the best sandwiches. Melanie and Jeff are proud parents of Jojo, a second grader who loves; art, dance, swimming, and music. Melanie has a B.A. degree from the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities and a M. Div from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, a Presbyterian affiliated institution of higher education. Melanie moved to the area in August of 2013 when she received her first call as the Associate Pastor at First Presbyterian Church in Sarasota. In 2016, she began her role as Campus Minister and Chaplain at Ringling College of Art and Design. By extension of that role, she was Chaplain to USF, and New College of Florida. She has a passion for helping others find their sense of purpose and nurturing their faith. With a strong background in creating and coordinating programs, Melanie joined Pine Shores Presbyterian Church as a Parish Associate engaging in outreach. In 2023, the Co-Pastors of Pine Shores P.C. retired and Melanie went on to work with families and youth as a pastor in St. Pete for a contracted period. Melanie also has a strong knowledge and passion for vintage goods and as a hobby was a successful vintage reseller. She leveraged her experience into opening her own Vintage Shop in Palmetto just around the corner from the church!  Wanting to have more time with her family, Melanie made the decision to close her shop. She made wonderful connections and considered her relationship as a small business owner in Palmetto to be an extension of her ministry. Not long after closing her shop, she began her relationship with PPC doing Pulpit Supply. It is no accident that she was asked to preach after resting a bit and no coincidence that there was interest to pursue the possibility of a ministry partnership.  The rest is history as the Pastor Nominating Committee unanimously voted to invite Rev. Melanie Kim-Hamill to be our Pastor. We are grateful to continue God’s work in this community, together. Thanks be to God!