Meet our Pastor

Pastor Barbara Marks leads the ministries of First Middletown with energy, hope, and a gentle healing presence. Her bold and innovative approaches to worship, mission, and faith development are helping to power new growth in a congregation blessed with both deep roots and great promise for Middletown’s future. Barbara serves as a Certified Lay Minister in the United Methodist Church‘s New York Annual Conference, after many years of local church service and leadership at United Methodist Church, Branford, CT, at the First Congregational Church of Guilford, CT, and other congregations.

Pastor Barbara is a skilled pastoral counselor and Christian educator, and she has led the organization of retreats for the Connecticut chapter of Tres Dias, an interdenominational Christian renewal movement. Be it in worship, at the side of a person in need, or helping to build the leadership of the church in our community, Pastor Barbara is someone who we are grateful to have as a pastor dedicated to the well being and spiritual growth of people in Middletown and the world.

Visit us or contact us to introduce yourself to Pastor Barbara and to learn more about how First Middletown can touch your life and other lives with the active presence of God’s love.

A special word from Pastor Barbara

I am humbled, privileged, and honored to be called to serve as First UMC Middletown’s new Pastor. I believe that God is calling us to journey together for a new mission in Middletown. So tell me, what are your dreams for our church? This journey is a process we will do together, whether you are a long-time member or a newcomer. No one will be left out! We are renewing our commitments to Church School, children sermons, choir, and adult studies. We will begin new ministries as we explore our gifts in ministry together. Again, no one will be left out. In Christ, we can move forward in mission together.

I leave you with this scripture from 1 Corinthians 3:7-9. It’s not important who does the planting, or who does the watering. What’s important is that God makes the seed grow. The one who plants and the one who waters work together with the same purpose. And both will be rewarded for their own hard work. For we are both God’s workers. And you are God’s field. You are God’s building. Praise God!

Blessings,

Pastor Barbara