New pastor kicks off Bay United Methodist Rally Day
On Sunday, Sept. 11, Bay United Methodist Church will celebrate Rally Day, the day Sunday Small Groups, Chancel Choir, Bible studies, and other groups return from their summer hiatus. This year, Rally Day will be welcomed by Bay UMC’s new pastor, Rev. Lisa Kropinak.
Rev. Lisa was named Bay UMC’s senior pastor on July 1. She and her family moved to Bay from New Concord, Ohio. Raised in a small country church in Mercer County, Pennsylvania, where her mother was the organist, Rev. Lisa went to Allegheny College to pursue a biology degree. Her aspirations were to become a family doctor; however a calling to participate in a two-year program in youth ministry evolved into 30 years of serving the church.
She completed her first master’s degree in Elkhart, Indiana, while working as a local church’s youth minister, and then took a job at Brecksville United Methodist working with the youth, completing her Master of Divinity at Ashland Theological Seminary. It was there that she realized that she wanted to be an ordained United Methodist minister. Currently, Rev. Lisa is working on a Doctor of Ministry degree in Transformational Leadership at the Methodist Theological School of Ohio, and serves as registrar for those seeking ordination in the United Methodist Church in the East Ohio Conference.
Rev. Lisa has been married to Tony, a chemist, for 12 years, and their daughter, Adalyn, is a sixth-grader at Bay Middle School. The family loves the Cleveland area – Tony is from Cleveland – and they look forward to re-acquainting themselves with the Zoo, Lake Erie, and Cleveland sports teams.
An essential part of her ministry is partnering with the community. Rev. Lisa says, “I’m excited to get to know Bay Village, and I hope to create a joyful, welcoming worship experience for those in the area – whether you’re a long-time member of the church or a first-time visitor.”
Join us at Bay United Methodist Church on Rally Day, Sept. 11. Worship service begins at 10 a.m. with games and fellowship taking place on the front lawn afterwards. A picnic lunch of fried chicken and all the fixings will be served. Meet Rev. Lisa Kropinak and her family as we celebrate Rally Day. Everyone is welcome. For more information about Bay United Methodist Church visit www.bayumc.org.
Jennie Sebrasky
Jennie Sebrasky