Green Pond United Methodist Church

Open Doors, Open Minds, Open Hearts

What do we believe?

We believe everyone has a faith journey. You are welcome here wherever you are in your journey, whether you are a lifelong churchgoer, a new believer, or simply curious.

We believe every person’s life has value and dignity.

We believe a compassionate church community helps us grow in faith.

We believe in the trinity; Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

We believe all scripture is God breathed and useful for teaching, correcting, rebuking and training in righteousness.

We believe in salvation as a gift of grace, achieved through faith in Jesus Christ.

We believe God calls us to be his hands and feet in the world, helping our local community, and beyond.

About us

Our Mission Statement:

To be an inclusive, Christ-centered

compassionate community of faith

seeking to grow as authentic disciples of Jesus Christ

who love God and welcome all people.

Leadership

Rev. Barbara S. Lee

Lead Pastor

Pastor Barbara seeks to lead the Green Pond church into compassionate presence and service in the community that reflects the love of Christ. She is an ordained elder in the United Methodist Church and has served local churches for twelve years. In addition she has served as a hospital chaplain, specializing in trauma care. Prior to her call to ministry, she has served as a journalist, editor, and media relations specialist. Pastor Barbara holds a Master of Arts in English Literature from Lehigh University, a Master of Divinity from Missio Seminary and a Master’s of Theological Studies from Moravian Theological Seminary. She loves reading, traveling, and bicycling. She and her husband have three adult daughters.

Megan Schaeffer

Director of Children's Ministry

I am very excited to be the Youth & Family Coordinator at Green Pond UMC. I am a lifelong member of the church and have been in this position since August 2016. Currently, I’m also a stay-at-home mom to my daughter Mia. Prior to taking on my role at GPUMC, I was an elementary school counselor for 7 years and an elementary school teacher for 3 years. I’ve always enjoyed working with kids and their families. God has given me a passion to influence the lives of children and I feel blessed to be able to fulfill this passion at GPUMC. Aside from this work, I also enjoy participating in mission projects with our church, watching anything on HGTV or DIY network, and spending time with family and friends. My husband Brad and I love spending time on Fenwick Island, DE and we travel to the beach as often as we can! Life isn’t always easy and planned the way you may think, but when we take time to be thankful for what we do have and take time to do what we love, it can be fulfilling and wonderful!

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make straight your paths. ~ Proverbs 3:5-6

Jennifer Biddle

Director of Youth Ministry

I am so excited to have the opportunity to be the Youth Ministry Director here at Green Pond United Methodist Church! For many years I have taught Sunday school, engaged in the planning and execution of youth programs at the church, including service projects and vacation bible school. My husband Steve and I have three children, Abby, Drew, and Ella. We spend most of our nights and weekends sitting in a gym, dance studio, or on a field watching our children dance, play soccer, basketball, football, lacrosse, or cheer. My formal education includes a degree in Administration of Justice from Penn State University and a Masters and Ph.D. in Criminal Justice from Rutgers University. I am currently a full time Associate Professor and Academic Program Lead for the Doctoral of Criminal Justice Program at National University. I pray that the Holy Spirit will guide me in the teaching of our youth. My purpose is to continue to create a loving environment where our young members feel safe and can further their spiritual journey.

“You Are a Child of God, You Are Wonderfully Made, Dearly Loved and Precious in His Sight” ~ Psalm 139

History of Mergers:

In 1826, The First Methodist Episcopal Church formed in downtown Easton, PA. Over the next few decades, First helped spawn Methodist congregations on the southside of Easton (Christ), in the Glendon area and the west ward of the city (Calvary). Also ministering during this period was the Trinity Evangelical Brethren Church in downtown Easton. Each congregation experienced rapid growth through the 1800s and first half of the 1900s. But as the 1970s brought major shifts in societal thinking, each congregation experienced the beginnings of decline. The city’s growth and the changing communities around each congregation brought a landlocked position which squeezed the potential for growth out for each.

In 2001, Calvary and Glendon, through a merger, built the present structure on Green Pond Rd near the border of Palmer and Bethlehem Townships. Nearly 10 years later, First UMC (which had merged in 1971 with Trinity) also merged with Calvary and today we are Green Pond United Methodist Church, a growing congregation with a vision and mission that is inclusive of the community we are located in and the downtown community of Easton where our roots are.

Green Pond UMC is now served by Pastor Barbara Lee.