Pastor Grueser says farewell to Pine Island after 14 years
Pastor Heidi Grueser of Pine Island Community Church wants everyone to know that everything will continue that as normal at PICC. The non-denominational church, she said, is completely community oriented.
“It doesn’t have any hierarchy,” said Grueser, “it’s run by a board of directors. It started with a couple of people and it grew and grew.”
The building was purchased in 2010, and they decided to rent out the bays after the community continued to donate large items, such as furniture, to the church. Members began having yard sales in an attempt to raise money when it occurred to Grueser that they could open the bay doors and offer the community a thrift store.
“I want everyone to know we have a great management team and the store is going to continue,” said Grueser.
Grueser received a call from another non-denominational church, which she got on Super Bowl Sunday, after gaining attention from her Facebook posts and online videos. She interviewed on Valentine’s Day and then took the call to go to Virginia. Having two little girls, who are 5 and 4 years old, makes this a perfect time for the family to make the transition, she says.
“Pine Island is filled with the most amazing people,” Grueser said. “We started getting involved in the community by picking up the trash at MangoMania. We became known as the trash church. We tried to be at every event and help. We were at the Mullet Tosses picking up trash. I’ve loved the community and it’s been very difficult to think about leaving. It’s been like a death.”
Although PICC was the first church Grueser started, she has been in ministry for 26 years. As she looks around the community, she says she sees evidence of her own fingerprints everywhere. Having adopted two children out of the church, Grueser literally began her family at PICC.
“My family began here. It’s hard to leave, but I know it’s time,” said Grueser.
She admits she is looking forward to a future working partnership with the incoming pastor, saying they will likely share Bible trips, and that he has her full support in carrying on the work she’s begun at PICC.
“Now I get to do something new, as scary as it is,” said Grueser. “But it feels good. Thank you for embracing me and my family. I will carry that everywhere and this will always be part of my heartbeat.”
For more about Pine Island Community Church, please visit https://www.loc8nearme.com/florida/saint-james-city/pine-island-community-church/6207585/