TUMC bids one pastor farewell, welcomes another

By Sarah Hite shite@timesleader.com
Staff Writer

Another chapter is being written in the history of Trucksville United Methodist Church as the congregation says goodbye to its first female pastor and welcomes its second.

Pastor Lori Steffenson and her husband Ted Gabriel walk down the aisle at Trucksville United Methodist Church for the last time. Steffenson has taken a new assignment near Sate College.

Charlotte Bartizek/ For The Dallas Post

The Rev. Lori Steffenson recently left the church to take a position as the United Methodist Church Susquehanna Conference district superintendent of the State College area.

The termed position includes overseeing clergy in a district of 107 churches, which includes close to 10,000 worshippers – a few more than the Trucksville church’s approximately 600 members.

“I’m responsible for working with clergy, I consult with the bishop which pastors are appointed, I meet with yearly business, I consult with each church to make sure they are in order, as issues come up, churches or clergy, I offer assistance,” Steffenson said of her new position. “I give (churches) resources to grow and give them leadership to become who God has called them to be.”

A native of New Hampshire, Steffenson announced her departure to the church congregation in winter and immediately worked to ensure a smooth transition.

She’s been working as a minister since 1998 and received her appointment in Trucksville from the bishop in 2008. When she got there, she felt like she was home, in a way.

Steffenson said there is a family named Kresge in her history who actually settled in Trucksville, and she found their tombstones in the Trucksville United Methodist Church Cemetery.

“I found them back eight generations in the cemetery at Trucksville,” she said.

Leaving the church was difficult for Steffenson because of Trucksville’s unique youth congregation.

“It’s hard, especially because Trucksville is blessed to have a wonderful span of ages in it,” she said. “Many churches do not have young people, and now I will not have the ability to work often with children and youth.”

She would have loved to see the children grow up during her tenure at the church, but is now able to help other churches develop similar programs.

“I’m looking forward to having the ability to, hopefully, encourage the churches here to use their gifts and talents God has given them,” she said.

As Steffenson steps down from the pulpit, a minister originally from the Gettysburg area joins the Trucksville United Methodist Church community.

The Rev. Marian Hartman started preaching at Trucksville on July 3, and the congregation held a welcoming ceremony for its new pastor on July 10.

The congregation even wore sticker-backed name tags in order to make the new preacher feel comfortable in her surroundings. Some church members already started calling Hartman by her nickname, “Rev.”

“I told her last week after her first sermon, I think we’ll keep her,” said church member Barbie Glowak, of Trucksville.

Hartman, who has been a minister for 31 years, said she’s looking forward to working with the youthful congregation.

“I think there are a lot of younger families here,” she said. “I’m looking forward to the youth group and seeing where it could go. There’s a lot of enthusiasm here.”

Hartman most recently came from the United Methodist Church of Wellsboro. She said her preaching style is about finding practical applications of the scripture while keeping the congregation’s attention.

“I don’t stand on the pulpit,” she said. “I stand among the crowd.”

While growing up, Hartman had always thought of becoming a missionary but chose a career in the education field instead. After so many years on that path, she couldn’t shake her initial aspirations.

“God didn’t let go of me,” she said.

In addition to a passion for preaching, Hartman also enjoys spending time with family. She has an 18-year-old foster son, Kiere, currently in training for the U.S. Army Reserves. He plans to return to the area to finish his senior year of high school.

“That’s when the real fun begins,” she said.