An institutional memory is a great asset in a newsroom, and I'm fortunate as a relative newcomer to Durham to be able to rely on a few people who really know a lot about the city, its people and its history.

One such treasure is Flo Johnston, who has been writing for us every week about faith and religion since we launched The Durham News three years ago.

This week, in addition to her usual "Faith in Focus" column, Flo explains in a Page One story the remarkable journey of two intertwined Methodist congregations, Carr and Shepherd's House. It's a good yarn, one that tells us a lot about the city's continuing evolution.

Flo brings solid credentials to her subject, although she says "I just kind of fell into it." Back in the '80s, when she was working as an editor at the Herald-Sun, she began writing an occasional story about religious doings, and it just grew from there.

She has a master's degree in English (from the University of Georgia), and an undergraduate degree in music and education, plus an additional year of graduate study at the Presbyterian School of Christian Education, part of Union Seminary in Richmond, Va.

Flo worked at the Herald-Sun as a reporter and editor for more than 20 years, but got the ax three years ago when the paper's new owners took over and did some aggressive cost-cutting. Their loss, our gain.

She is a lifelong Presbyterian, but spends many of her Sundays visiting other churches.

"I've never been in a boring church," she says. "I think they're all exciting."