Stillwater United Church, Presbyterian Church, U.S.A., has been an integral part of the life of the Village and Town of Stillwater, New York, for more than sixty years. Located in the center of the village, we are easy to get to and are ready to open our doors to all who are looking for greater spirituality in their lives.
Our newly renovated sanctuary is filled with loving warmth on Sunday mornings as our theologically diverse congregation unites to praise God through music, prayer, testimonies, and message. Each person worshipping with us becomes a part of our family and is welcomed and supported through all the joyful – and not so joyful – moments in life. Whether you are the youngest toddler or wisest centenarian, we would love to have you as part of our church family!
Rev. Pamela Woodman has had a long-time relationship with our congregation beginning in the 1980s when her husband Charles E. Woodman served as our called pastor for nearly 17 years. After his death, Pam remained connected to us as a friend, a supply pastor and organist, and as part of a clergy group covering our area. In May 2023, she became our transition pastor while we began a search for someone new. After nearly two years, our congregation voted to dismiss the Pastor Nominating Committee and entered into an agreement for Pam to be our official pastor.
Over the years Pam has served several congregations as an interim pastor as well as a supply pastor. She was called to serve the Malta Presbyterian Church for twenty years.
We are so pleased that she has found her way back home to us. Her insightful sermons, boundless compassion, and beaming smile make her a perfect fit at Stillwater United Church!
PASTOR'S PORTION FROM JUNE NEWSLETTER
June is the month for celebrating. It is the month of endings and beginnings. June is the traditional month for weddings. People, who were two, become one. Young people will be going off to college or job hunting. June 15th we will be celebrating fathers—but then, fathers are special every day!
Another day to celebrate is June 8th, Pentecost, the day the Christian Church was born. Jesus told his disciples that he would send someone to help them, someone they could depend upon: the Comforter, the Sustainer, the Holy Spirit. He told his disciples that after he was gone, they would never be alone. So, a few weeks after the resurrection, the disciples were together in one place when the Holy Spirit came upon them. “And suddenly a sound came from heaven like the rush of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared to them tongues as of fire, disturbed and resting on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. . .” (Acts2:2-4)
They received the Holy Spirit for a reason. Jesus told them, “you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8). They were to go out into the unknown and spread the message of Jesus Christ.
Now we may think the Holy Spirit will come upon us like “a mighty wind” and “tongues of fire” just like it did for the disciples. But the Spirit works in numerous and mysterious ways. Speaking to us every day. There are times when we hear what the Spirit says to us, trying to lead us, but we choose not to listen. We are afraid of where the Spirit is leading us. We are afraid of the unknown. Then there are times when we hear the Spirit and we do listen. However, that doesn’t make the unknown any less scary. Those early followers felt the same way.
Jesus told the disciples that they could depend upon the Holy Spirit always, and so can we. Just as the Spirit led the disciples into the world spreading Jesus’ message, the Holy Spirit is leading us out into the community: Sharing the word of God, sharing the love of Jesus with those around us; inviting them to join us in the worship of God.
Take a leap of faith, allowing the Holy Spirit to lead. That is what Jesus commands us to do. And that is scary, but we can because we are filled with God’s love, Jesus’ peace, and the power of the Holy Spirit.
Peace,
Pam
On the 4th of May, 1952, the Stillwater United Church came into being. Truly a united church, it was created by the consolidation of the Second Baptist, First Methodist, and Schoonmacher Memorial Presbyterian Churches. They were the three Protestant churches then existing in Stillwater, New York.
This remarkable interdenominational union affected the customs, beliefs, and traditions of three separate congregations, long established through nearly two hundred years of coexistence. From the time the building of the first little rural meeting houses, forces were at work which pointed the way to ultimate union.
In 1947, when circumstances warned that the three congregations should move more closely together, the spirit of the people was one of enthusiastic approval; and the first tentative step – federation – was taken. After four successful years as a federated church, it became apparent that certain disadvantages were inherent in this type of organization – financial, administrative, and denominational. Again, the people were ready for the next step to complete unity. They made the decisions and took the legal procedures necessary to bring it about.
Since that historic day in May, "United" has not only been our name, but it has been our identity. Today, the active and successful nature of Stillwater United Church reflects the wisdom of its founders.
Sunday Worship at 10:30am
747 Hudson Avenue
PO Box 480
Stillwater, NY 12170
518-664-7984
stillwaterunitedchurch.ny@gmail.com
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