A celebration of the old and the new provides the backdrop for the upcoming retirement of the Rev. James Earl “Pete” Herndon, who steps down from the pulpit in June after 47 years in the ministry.

Jefferson Street United Methodist Church celebrates 200 years of Methodism at the church on May 6 with special services and activities.

The church also nears completion of a large capital improvement program that has resulted in a new family life building, completed two years ago and a total renovation of the main building, with refurbishing and redesign of offices and other rooms.

“It’s really with mixed emotions that I retire,” Herndon said. “My age tells me I need to retire, but my heart does not know whether it’s time.”

The last seven years, spent as senior pastor at Jefferson Street, have put a perfect cap on the nearly five decades. “It’s been a fabulous seven years. The people here have worked, cooperated and have done everything I ever asked them to do,” he said.

“With all the new building and the renovation of this building, moving offices and dealing with problems like termites, rot, drainage — we did everything with total consensus.”

Herndon thought back to his student days at Emory University in Atlanta. “I was a 21-year-old student minister when Carolyn and I married,” he said. “She has been the light of my life and so instrumental with me in the ministry.”

Alongside him, Mrs. Herndon, who retires Monday from a position as CEO of the public school credit union, has directed choirs, played piano and worked with children in churches where the Herndons have served.

“We’ve gotten along with people everywhere,” he said. “I’m a people person, and that’s where it begins in ministry. You accept people for who they are and where they are and take them as far as you can and be happy about it.”

Reflections on changes in the ministry were natural as Herndon talked about his retirement. “The biggest change has been in the secularization of society as a whole, that and political correctness,” he said.

Still, people remain much the same. “I don’t see a difference in the hearts of people, but the world is different and circumstances in which people live are different,” he said.

Nor does he think young people have changed as reports often indicate. “I don’t think young people are any worse today than 47 years ago. I think there are more opportunities and new and different things to attract them.”

Sunday is not the day it used to be for a large majority of people, Herndon said.

“When I started, Sunday was a day set aside for worship. Wednesday was, too. That’s not so today,” he said. “Everything in the community revolved around the churches and schools then. That’s not true today.”

Access to transportation, television, computers and other electronic gadgets have provided new ways to spend time. Furthermore, many more people are affluent and can travel and take advantage of other opportunities.

“Values have changed because of all these things, but I think people basically are the same,” he said. “And I still see more good in people than not. I expect the best of people, and most of the time I’m not disappointed.”

Herndon told the congregation more than a year ago that he would remain with them until the construction projects were completed.

“I second-guessed myself for a while. People asked me to reconsider. Carolyn and I prayed about it and decided this was the time to leave,” he said.

“It’s a good time for them to have a new beginning, with this new facility,” he said.

He gave thanks for the role of the Rev. Faye Hudnall, the associate pastor and a Natchez native.

“Faye is here, and she will bridge the gap,” he said. “She has been here four years now and she has been a big help.”

The Herndons have spent all their spare time working on a house they have built near the Gulf Coast.

“I guess it’s been our dream house. We’ve built it ourselves,” he said. They plan to enjoy the house, continue to remain active and see more of their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

“Life has been good, and it’s still good. I’m pleased with what has happened here,” he said.

“Celebrating 200 years is a chance to think about roots and history, and that is important,” he said. “There is an appeal in thinking about all the sacrifices of the people who have brought it this far.”

Not to live in the past, however, he points to the many new people who have kept Jefferson Street church alive.

“The amazing thing is that there are all the new people here who have caught the vision,” he said. “If I was going to be a pastor anywhere, this is where I’d want to be. It’s a good way to go out.”

Herndon has served churches in the Jackson area, the Gulf Coast area, the Hattiesburg area and in Natchez, serving as pastor of Grace United Methodist Church in Natchez from 1986 to 1990 and returning to Jefferson Street in 2000.

A native of Jackson County, he is returning to the area where he grew up near Moss Point.