St. Paul's United Methodist to Celebrate New Pastor Sunday, 9/30

Northport, NY….September 24, 2018…This Sunday, September 30, St. Paul’s United Methodist Church (UMC), Northport’s oldest continuously worshiping congregation, will celebrate the recent appointment of its new pastor, Rev. Bette Johnson Sohm, by Bishop Thomas J. Bickerton of the UMC’s New York Annual Conference. All are welcome to the special service at 10 AM in the sanctuary at 270 Main Street.

Rev. Sohm succeeds the eight-year tenure of Rev. Kristina Hansen, whom Bishop Bickerton appointed to Mary Taylor Memorial UMC in Milford, CT, where the previous pastor had retired.

“We are thrilled that the transition from Pastor Kristina to Pastor Bette has been so smooth,” said Nancy Anderson, Chair of Staff-Parish Relations, the committee that liaisons with Bishop Bickerton. “Pastor Bette’s enthusiasm is infectious as we continue to honor Pastor Kristina’s legacy of energetic community outreach.”

“I am delighted to be appointed a church that is so active in the community,” Rev. Sohm said. “I am looking forward to working together in the ministries St. Paul's is already involved in, as well as listening to God's call into new areas.”

After studying theater as an undergraduate, Rev. Sohm earned her Master of Divinity degree from Drew Theological Seminary in 2010.

Prior to her ordination, Rev. Sohm followed programs leading to certificates in Trauma Awareness and Recovery (from the STAR Program at Eastern Mennonite University), Gestalt Pastoral Care (Gestalt Pastoral Care Ecumenical Associates, Staten Island), Spiritual Direction (Wellspring Institute, Highland Mills, NY), and Emerging Worship (Perkins School of Theology, Dallas).

St. Paul’s is her fourth appointment to the United Methodist pulpit. Previously she pastored Pine Plains United Methodist Church (UMC), in Pine Plains, NY; Good Shepherd UMC, in Astoria, NY; and New Paltz UMC, in New Paltz, NY.

Leading up to her pastoral duties, Rev. Sohm was a teacher, mentor, and administrator for various church-sponsored educational and outreach programs. She also served as archivist for the UMC’s New York Annual Conference. Her many past and present committee memberships include her current role as co-chair of the UMC’s New York Conference’s Episcopacy Committee.

Established in 1873, St. Paul’s United Methodist Church is Northport’s oldest continuously worshiping congregation. Led by Rev. Bette Johnson Sohm, the church offers Sunday worship, a full range of church school classes, a youth group, adult Bible study, and community ministry. In late 2015, the congregation adopted a Welcoming Statement to offer full participation and ministry to all, regardless of sexual orientation or identity, race, or creed. The office is located at 288 Main Street, Northport, NY 11768, and can be reached at 631-261-0804.

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