Rev. Steve Clunn, Pastor

Reverend Steve Clunn has been providing pastoral leadership at First UMC since August of 1999.  Along with his wife (Mary Lynn) and three young adult children (Drew, Ally & Julia) they have been blessed with a strong commitment to family, youth and young adult ministries. So who is “Pastor Steve” and what does he believe?

 Who Am I:  I am a “Progressive” United Methodist who believes that ALL people are invited to be a part of the church… the community of Divine Love and Grace.  By calling myself “Progressive,” I mean that I am a Christian who believes:

• I have discovered Divine Love and Grace through the life and teachings of Jesus.

• That other people have found other ways to define God through their own religious traditions and practices… I respect and honor their faithfulness.

• That each person, of every age, is a unique and holy gift and is welcome to participate fully in the life, ministry and sacraments (communion & baptism) of the congregation I serve. 

• That the way we treat and support each other in our homes, daily life, church and world is the most honest expression of what we believe.  Doing what we say we are about is crucial.

• That the Church needs to get real about asking itself and its people the hard questions in life.  Our searching for answers together and in the presence of Divine Love & Grace, is much more meaningful than holding on to pat answers that don’t fit with all we have learned and grown into over the past 2,000 years.

•  That living a life of loving like Jesus will involve risk - in taking on principalities and powers; and self-sacrifice - in renouncing how we benefit from privilege and structures that hurt others.

I Am Involved: In a number of church, community, regional, state and national organizations who all work for peace, justice, and the betterment of life for all.  It is my hope that my approach to Christianity is inclusive, innovative and informed; and through the ministries that I share, people are able to better connect to the source of Divine Love and inspiration in their own lives.

Rev. Bill Barney, Associate Pastor

Rev. Bill Barney has served churches in Vermont and New York since graduating from Boston University School of Theology in 1970. Since his very first appointment he has championed causes of inclusiveness in Troy Conference and throughout the General United Methodist Church. Issues surrounding the dismantling of classism, racism, sexism and heterosexism in church and society have been particular passions. For the 21^st century, Bill is committed to creating a progressive United Methodist Church, where wholeness and equality are desired and honored. This includes worship that is free of gendered references to the Divine in liturgy and music and a congregation where all are fully welcome. Commitment to serving those living in the poorest of economic conditions has taken Bill to Nicaragua, Cuba and Mozambique on a number on mission opportunities. Every person living as Jesus teaches is Bill's vision for the future.

Bill Barney is married to Brenda Arley, a licensed marriage and family therapist. They have two married daughters, Joy and Stephanie and one two-year-old granddaughter, Celia Joy.