On June 24, Jerry T. Smith, senior pastor at Raleigh's Asbury UnitedMethodist Church will assume duties at White Plains United MethodistChurch.
"I feel White Plains is a strong church, and I'm optimistic about thefuture," Smith was quoted byThe News & Observeras saying.
Smith succeeds the Rev. Ed Privette, who resigned after a civil juryordered him to pay $420,000 in wages, medical bills and punitive damagesto two female church employees who testified to Privette's hugging,kissing and touching them.
Privette has told church members he intends to start a new ministry.It is not known if the North Carolina Conference of the United MethodistChurch offered Privette another post.
Smith has previously been pastor of congregations in Fuquay-Varina andClayton.
He will be joined by associate pastor Thomas Hollis of Plank ChapelUnited Methodist Church in Henderson.
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