Pastor of Visitation

The Reverend Sandy Smith

Sandra Cousins Smith (Sandy) grew up in Ft. Smith, Arkansas, and has been a dedicated Presbyterian throughout her life. Her enduring commitment to both education and ministry is evident in her academic achievements. Sandy earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Hendrix College in Conway, Arkansas, followed by a master’s degree in mathematics from Vanderbilt University. She further pursued a master’s of divinity at Louisville Seminary and completed a master’s in education through the University of Phoenix.

As a young adult, Sandy volunteered three times as a Presbyterian Volunteer in Mission. Her first mission took her to southeast Alaska, where she taught vacation Bible school in remote logging camps and fishing villages. She then served in the mountains of Tennessee at Sunset Gap, where she supervised mission projects for regional groups and led educational and recreation programs for the local community. Sandy’s third mission assignment was at Ramses College for Girls in Cairo, Egypt—a school established by the Presbyterian Church in 1910—where she taught high school English and math for two years. During her summer break, she lived and learned in the Palestinian sector of Jerusalem, gaining valuable cross-cultural experiences.

After her ordination, Sandy continued her journey in ministry, serving as an associate pastor at Village Presbyterian Church in Prairie Village, Kansas. She also contributed as an educational assistant at Genesis Presbyterian Church in the Denver area and later as an interim associate pastor at Wellshire Presbyterian Church, also within the Denver Presbytery. Over the years, Sandy has been actively involved in the broader church by serving on various presbytery committees.

For approximately twenty years, Sandy taught mathematics in Jefferson County, first at Collegiate Academy and later at D’Evelyn High School. In the spring of 2025, she retired from both her teaching and ministry roles. Despite her retirement, Sandy remains engaged in education by working as a substitute teacher in the district and continues to support Green Mountain Church by assisting with pastoral care and visitation.

Sandy met her late husband, Allen, while attending seminary. Together, they raised two children: their son, who works as an engineer in the Denver area, and their daughter, who, along with her husband, teaches orchestra in the Seattle area. Sandy cherishes time spent with her family, enjoys traveling, and finds pleasure in hiking and walking with her dog.

Pastor Emeritus

The Reverend Rich Stewart

Rich Stewart spent most of his years in ministry as chaplain at Craig Hospital in suburban Denver and retired in 2005. Additionally, he served Green Mountain Presbyterian Church for nearly 2 decades as a supply preacher, part-time interim pastor, beloved “Rent-a-Rev”, then pastor of visitation after Pastor Gretchen arrived. In 2019 he announced he was “really going to retire this time” at the end of May. On June 2, 2019, the congregation presented him with the Pastor Emeritus award in grateful recognition for his years of loving service to GMPC.