Broad Street United Methodist Church welcomes new pastor
NORWICH – At the beginning of September, the Broad Street United Methodist Church in Norwich welcomed Pastor Rachel Ann Morse to lead its congregation.
Growing up in the church community her entire life, Pastor Rachel is what she calls a cradle-to-grave United Methodist as her parents and grandparents were leaders in the church as well. She says, "I had an inkling that I was being called to be a pastor because I enjoyed studying the bible, theology and spirituality and enjoyed talking to people about their faith."
She started working in ministry at 17-years-old, when she joined the summer staff of Sky Lake, a United Methodist camp, where she worked through college. Pastor Rachel graduated from high school in Owego, where she grew up, and went on to receive her Bachelor's degree of Science in 2006. She then went on to the Union Theological Seminary in the City of New York and earned her Master's of Divinity in 2010.
Pastor Rachel was the superintendent of a youth Sunday school while running a mentoring program in New York City before her first actual pastoral appointment to the First United Methodist Church of Unadilla and Sidney Center United Methodist Church. For the past 4 years she has served the Homer First United Methodist Church.
When asked what her general philosophy and area of focus were, Pastor Rachel had one answer, grace. "Grace is God's love that accepts us as we are while simultaneously transforming us." She goes on to say "The mission of the United Methodist Church is all about faithfully practicing grace so that grace might change the world. Our individual practice, when put together with other members of the church, can make a huge impact."
Pastor Rachel and her husband, Dan, two children, and two dogs moved to Norwich this summer and have been enjoying it very much. "I feel so at home in Norwich. The people in the community, as in the church are really lovely. What a privilege to lead such a grace-filled congregation!"
Pastor Rachel is especially excited with how welcome children are in the church. Her goal is to continue to encourage the congregation to do what it does well, while guiding an expansion of ministry opportunities for children and families. She would like to start a youth group as the church is seeing more and more kids. "The Norwich congregation is already doing a lot really well by serving the community," she says.
The Broad Street United Methodist Church will be having a welcoming reception for Pastor Rachel after the 10:30 a.m. service on October 15. Anyone would is interested in meeting her and her family is invited to join them from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall.
Reverend Rachel Ann Morse stands in front of the Broad Street United Methodist Church. (Hannah Benjamin Photo)
Growing up in the church community her entire life, Pastor Rachel is what she calls a cradle-to-grave United Methodist as her parents and grandparents were leaders in the church as well. She says, "I had an inkling that I was being called to be a pastor because I enjoyed studying the bible, theology and spirituality and enjoyed talking to people about their faith."
She started working in ministry at 17-years-old, when she joined the summer staff of Sky Lake, a United Methodist camp, where she worked through college. Pastor Rachel graduated from high school in Owego, where she grew up, and went on to receive her Bachelor's degree of Science in 2006. She then went on to the Union Theological Seminary in the City of New York and earned her Master's of Divinity in 2010.
Pastor Rachel was the superintendent of a youth Sunday school while running a mentoring program in New York City before her first actual pastoral appointment to the First United Methodist Church of Unadilla and Sidney Center United Methodist Church. For the past 4 years she has served the Homer First United Methodist Church.
When asked what her general philosophy and area of focus were, Pastor Rachel had one answer, grace. "Grace is God's love that accepts us as we are while simultaneously transforming us." She goes on to say "The mission of the United Methodist Church is all about faithfully practicing grace so that grace might change the world. Our individual practice, when put together with other members of the church, can make a huge impact."
Pastor Rachel and her husband, Dan, two children, and two dogs moved to Norwich this summer and have been enjoying it very much. "I feel so at home in Norwich. The people in the community, as in the church are really lovely. What a privilege to lead such a grace-filled congregation!"
Pastor Rachel is especially excited with how welcome children are in the church. Her goal is to continue to encourage the congregation to do what it does well, while guiding an expansion of ministry opportunities for children and families. She would like to start a youth group as the church is seeing more and more kids. "The Norwich congregation is already doing a lot really well by serving the community," she says.
The Broad Street United Methodist Church will be having a welcoming reception for Pastor Rachel after the 10:30 a.m. service on October 15. Anyone would is interested in meeting her and her family is invited to join them from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall.
Reverend Rachel Ann Morse stands in front of the Broad Street United Methodist Church. (Hannah Benjamin Photo)
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