Meet Our Pastor . . .

Originally from a potato farm in Northern Maine, Pastor Bethann Black began her ministry at Maplewood UMC on July 1, 2019.

She has been serving United Methodist churches for 20 years, in Northern Maine and Western Kansas.

Each church is unique in ways that make me smile, and wonder why we haven’t all thought of that. From silverware drawers that open on both sides of the counter making them reachable from the kitchen & dining side of the counter, to heated steps that make shoveling a breeze, and warming ovens that make it possible to prepare and serve hundreds of people easily. Each one has found ways to adapt to their environment, and do the ministry they are called to.

Maplewood’s focus on missions and the community has meant they weren’t as focused on building huge spaces to gather. In fact the sanctuary wasn’t built until 1985 more than 20 years after they started in the basement of the pastor’s house. The first section of the church that was built was designed for the Preschool, that still exists, because to them the needs of the neighborhood came first. That Spirit is still here, and it is a joy to see how excited everyone is to find ways to make a difference.