Kathleen McCombe - Pastor

Email Kathleen

Pastor Kathy was appointed to serve as pastor of First United Methodist Church in July 2011. She is privileged to see transformed lives through the ministry of the church. Kathleen’s passion is empowering those on the journey of faith to live out their best life as they share the experience the love of God in a hurting world.

Her preaching and teaching which are Biblically grounded trigger both thought and action. She is humbled by those she is called to lead, and is honored to be among those who have many gifts to share on the journey in the community of faith.

Kathleen is an ordained Elder in the Upper New York Conference. She has served churches in the communities of Nicholville, Little Falls, Belleville, Summerfield, East Hampton, Pulaski, Liverpool, Sherrill, and Corning. It has been her privilege to be in ministry with those whose lives are touched by God as they live as disciples of Jesus Christ.

She earned a Master of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary (1977), and was ordained an Elder in 1979. She is completing the Doctor of Ministry program in Transformational Leadership at Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Religion from Baldwin-Wallace College (1974).

Kathleen has a passion for mentoring, for varieties of worship, and for encouraging personal and group Bible study for people of all ages. Kathleen enjoys conversations with persons of diverse backgrounds and cultures. She treasures the opportunity to be involved in local and global outreach and celebrates the mission of The United Methodist Church.

In addition to her ministry in the local church, she has been Chair of the Board of Ordained Ministry and Secretary of the District Committee on Ministry. In her role as community leader, she has served on the Board of Directors of Habitat for Humanity, served as volunteer hospital chaplain, Hospice in both spiritual care and bereavement, and active in community service projects.

Kathleen was raised in Westchester, NY and is the daughter of a United Methodist minister. She is proud mom to two adult sons. Her brother and sister-in-law live outside Richmond, VA and she has a sister living in Eugene, Oregon. It is a blessing for Kathy to visit with family and brag about her grandchildren and grand nieces!

Barbara Bensink - Christian Education Coordinator

Email Barbara

Barb Bensink has been the Youth Christian Education director since 2004.  Barb and the other teachers love kids.  We have over 60 kids in our programs.  My goal is to provide a safe environment for them to come worship, make friends, have fun and learn about God.  I also believe kids can learn to begin to contribute at a young age by singing in the choir (age 4 and up), being an acolyte (3^rd grade and up), and helping with service projects with our youth groups (4^th grade and up).   One of my favorite quotes I heard recently from one of our children was, “I woke up on Saturday and wished it was Sunday so I could come to church.”

Outside of church, Barb works for a financial investment firm, Armbruster Capital.  In her free time, she enjoys cycling, traveling, making cards and playing basketball with her teenage son, Kyle.

Linda Mollnow - Music Director

Email Linda

Linda has earned a Bachelor of Science in Music Education from SUNY Fredonia, and a Masters of Music Education from the Nazareth College of Rochester.

Linda currently teaches Vocal Music to students in grades 6 – 12, at Honeoye Central; where she has three choirs, two levels of general music, and vocal lessons for the high school choral musicians. She is the Major Musical Producer for Honeoye Centrals’ musicals. Linda advises the Tri-M Music Honor Society, and prepares students for other musical events.

 Linda is a member of ACDA, American Choral Directors Association, MENC, and NYSSMA.

 For 27 years, Linda was the Choir Director at the Lima Presbyterian Church. For four of those years she also played the organ.

 Linda Mollnow has been playing for worship for over fifty years, and music has always been a part of Linda’s personal worship.

Jodi Gleason - Child Care Coordinator

Email Jodi

Jodi says, "I love my little people!" 

The nursery is for newborn through age 3, and you are invited to experience the safe and comforting care provided for little ones.

She has been on staff as Nursery Coordinator for 5 years at First United Methodist Church and has pediatric nursing experience. Jodi's family includes husband David of 20 years and their five children.

She coaches basketball, softball and cheer and has kids in football.

Jodi offers a warm welcome to those who wish to leave their children in the supervised nursery, and flexibility for parents/guardians on Sundays.