CHURCH FAMILY — The Rev. Buena Smith Dudley, right, spoke with Quinn Memorial African Methodist Episcopal Church member Patricia Fletcher, who was joined by fellow congregant Elijah Smith. -- Christopher Dacanay

STEUBENVILLE — A crowd of friends, family and community members gave a heartfelt send-off to the Rev. Buena Smith Dudley Friday as she prepares to embark on the next phase of her life: A new pastoral assignment in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Members of Quinn Memorial African Methodist Episcopal Church hosted a reception at Froehlich’s Classic Corner to honor Dudley, who is the former pastor of Quinn as of Sunday. More than two dozen individuals came to wish Dudley well, with many offerings words of gratitude for her pastoral leadership and community involvement.

Dudley herself recalled being “in shock” and “very, very touched” upon seeing the level of support Friday.

Born in Cleveland but raised in Monroeville, Pa., Dudley has been a pastor for the past 13 years, having spent the last five at Quinn. Dudley, who’s a retired schoolteacher, has lived and worked in cities across the U.S., from Pittsburgh to Los Angeles. She’s taught at the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary and Geneva College and served as a chaplain for Trinity Medical Center West.

Dudley’s five years at Quinn — perhaps the longest time she’s spent pastoring any one church, she said — saw the church wrangle with the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdowns, which the church overcame by hosting videoconference services. Continuing to offer hybrid services to this day, Quinn has “never missed a Sunday,” Dudley said.

HONORED — The Rev. Buena Smith Dudley received a certificate of appreciation from William Hendricks, representing the Steubenville City Schools Board of Education. -- Christopher Dacanay

Those five years have been filled with fruitful ministry and church programs, Dudley said, acknowledging that it’s time to say goodbye. Although she was capable of staying in Steubenville, Dudley requested and was granted a new pastoral assignment in Fort Lauderdale to help her son raise his own son.

Preparing to depart has been “bittersweet,” but Dudley anticipated that some much needed rest and warm weather are exactly what she needs before beginning to minister at her new assignment.

“A part of me is just not wanting to go. I would like to be right here,” Dudley said Sunday, her last official day as Quinn’s pastor. “I’m invested in Steubenville, and I’m really not ready to go, but my health challenges and my son’s needs have said, ‘No, this is the time.'”

Steubenville Mayor Jerry Barilla was present Friday to bid farewell to Dudley, who has led prayers before city council meetings. Dudley has been a “light” to the city, Barilla said, adding that he will miss her presence.

“It’s been an honor and a pleasure to be associated with pastor Dudley. She’s a lovely lady. She has a lot of wisdom. There’s many times we’ve had conversations about world affairs, about Steubenville and about Jesus Christ.”

William Hendricks of the Steubenville City Schools Board of Education echoed Barilla’s sentiments and presented Dudley with a certificate of appreciation from the board.

“We also feel the same way. You’ve touched our city,” Hendricks said.

Three individuals performed musical selections for Dudley and others at the reception, including Lula Madison, choir director at Quinn; Melanye Wares of St. Peter’s AME Church in Weirton and the Rev. Andrew Coleman, pastor of Bethel AME Church in New Castle, Pa.

Dudley’s godson, Coleman noted that he’s always been on-call for Dudley whenever she needs help with something, “but that’s what you do as a godson.” Being farther apart will be difficult, Coleman said, but he still intends to keep in touch with Dudley, who “gives her all to anything.”

“We’re still family. We’re all still family, and that’s what it’s about in the AME Church,” Coleman said. “You have pastors, you build relationships with them, but the relationship doesn’t die when they move. Even the community members that are here, your relationship will continue to stay on, and I know (Dudley) will answer the phone at any time.”

Sharon Kirtdoll said regarding Dudley’s departure: “Over the years, I’ve learned that God send people into your life for a season. If we could, we would make it all permanent — the relationships — but that’s not his plan. … I thank you (Dudley) for your season here. I appreciate and look forward to our friendship and staying still a friend and not losing this friendship because of the distance. I just want to thank God for your ministry, openness and warmth to me, my family and all of us.”

The Rev. Jim Baber, pastor of Calvary Community Missionary Baptist Church, thanked Dudley for her ministry in Steubenville and contributions to the Steubenville Martin Luther King Jr. Association.

Quinn member Patricia Fletcher said that Dudley herself is always only one call away when a person is in need, adding, “This is a woman that you would never dream. She can do things that no other person can do.”

Fletcher said that Quinn, which she refers to as “God’s house,” is being left with the gift of love because of Dudley’s influence. That can be seen in the church’s five children who were baptized into the church this summer, she said.

Those five — three great-grandchildren of a Quinn congregant and two of Dudley’s own neighbors — began attending the church over two years ago, following prayers from the congregation that it would receive a new generation of members. Ranging in age from 5 to 11, the children willingly requested full immersion baptism and have made great strides personally and spiritually since they first began attending, Dudley recalled later.

To Dudley herself, Fletcher said, “This isn’t goodbye, let’s make this see you later.”

A toast was raised to Dudley and her five years of ministry, wishing her the best as she enters the next stage of her life.

Dudley said to those gathered: “I love you all. Thank you for allowing me to form friendships and bonds over these five years. It’s been a rich time.”

She continued: “As I stated to my congregation, you are not going to float into heaven on a bed of ease. … If we just keep our focus, keep our eyes on the prize, keep that goal in front of us and keep walking, we’ll turn around and love each other and walk together in peace and unity and do great things.”

Closing in prayer, Dudley said, “Wherever we are in our highways and byways, (Lord) help us to remember you and each other and have grateful hearts.”