NORWICH – Associate pastor at the Broad Street United Methodist Church for the past three and a half years, Nancy Hale has assumed the role of senior pastor, previously held by her husband, Jeff Hale.
Hale took over as senior pastor on Jan. 1, as her husband prepares for his first-ever sabbatical after 25 years with the ministry and six years in Norwich. The United Methodist Church, said Hale, allows its pastors the opportunity to go on sabbatical – a time of renewal and spiritual growth – and her husband will use the six-month break to explore new avenues of ministry. Most of his time, she added, will be spent doing mission work, volunteering in the Southern Tier region.
“I’m excited for him,” said the new pastor. “He’s getting to do some things that he wouldn’t get to do otherwise and meeting new people.”
Once his six-month sabbatical ends, her husband will be seeking an appointment to another church, reported Hale.
A graduate of Boston University’s School of Theology – she has a Master of Divinity degree – Hale has 15 years of experience to draw on as a pastor, although she admitted she and her husband have a different approach when it comes to the ministry. And while she’s served at a number of other churches across central New York, the Broad Street UMC is the largest. Her time here as its associate pastor, however, has made the transition a smooth one.
“That’s what makes it so much easier,” said Hale. “I already know the people, they know me and, as they say, I hit the ground running.”
As pastor, Hale said she’s looking forward to working with the area’s other faith communities, as well as her own congregation. Cooperation between the county’s various faiths is, she added, vital to the communities they serve.
“There’s a lot of untapped potential there,” said the pastor, one of only two female faith leaders in Norwich. “We need to come together.”
Regardless, the welcome she’s received has been a warm one, she added, which she believes bodes well for the future.
“I’m very excited and this is a great congregation,” said the pastor. “They’re accepting me readily and I’m very grateful for that.”
Looking ahead, Hale said the Broad Street UMC is in the midst of adopting a new vision, Living the Gospel of Jesus Christ ... by Being God’s Love with Our Neighbors in All Places. As such, Hale is asking the members of her congregation to join her in asking some important questions – what must they do to live the gospel and be God’s love in the community? Who are our neighbors inside and outside the congregation? What are their needs? How do we help them?
“People are really getting excited for it,” said Hale of the new vision.
Sunday services at the Broad Street United Methodist Church are held at 8:30 a.m., an informal service, and 10:30 a.m., the traditional service. For more information call 334-2895 or visit broadstumc.com.