Leadership

Rev. Rebecca L. (Torres) Holland, M.Div. OSL

Rebecca is an ordained elder in the Susquehanna Conference of the United Methodist Church. She is an author and the pastor of Hawley United Methodist Church in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Rebecca the chair of the Disability Ministry Task Force of the Susquehanna Conference of the United Methodist Church. She is passionate about making both the church and the world accessible for people with disabilities.

Rebecca graduated in 2011 with a B.S. in English Education. After graduation, she attended Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington D.C., where she earned her Master of Divinity in 2014. While at Wesley Seminary, Rebecca served as a pastoral intern at a cooperative parish where she gained experience working with both a large congregation and a small ethnically diverse congregation.

While in D.C., Rebecca also served as a pastoral intern at the United Methodist General Board of Church and Society (GBCS) located on Capitol Hill. During her time at GBCS, Rebecca gained experience working with issues of social justice, including the Imagine No Malaria Campaign. She was ordained as an elder in the United Methodist Church in June of 2018. She is a member of the Order of St. Luke.

Rev. Rebecca is the author of three books: a small poetry book, The United Methodist Church & Disability: Essays and Practical Tips for Churches, Clergy, and People with Disabilities, and Hope for the Broken: Using Writing to Find God’s Grace, is now available.

Rebecca and her husband live in the Hawley Parsonage. They are the proud parents to Wesley the Dog.

—Rev. Rebecca L. Holland, M. Div. OSL

Hawley United Methodist Church

Office: 570-226-3875

“For we walk by faith and not by sight.” — 2 Corinthians 5:7

Disability Ministries Task Force of the Susquehanna Conference, Chair

www.DisabilityUMC.org

Author Blog: http://www.BeckieWrites.com

(Focusing on Faith, Books, and Disability Awareness)

Leadership Council

Jenn Delia

Jenn Delia is our church secretary and Rev. Rebecca’s right hand girl. She is from New Jersey an moved to Pike County 2 years ago. She is a mom to Anthony (Ace) Jr. and a fur mom to Marshall Dillon. You can find her with blue hair and a smile on her face.

Grace Frisbie

Grace Frisbie has been a Hawley resident for about 40 years. She was a preschool teacher for 25 years, caring for age groups infant to school age. Teaching children to be kind and love the world has always been her passion. This is what led Grace to take the job as the nursery attendant at Hawley UMC. Later, the Sexton position became available and Rev. Anna Layman-Knox asked Grace if she would be interested in the position. Grace agreed, and she has served faithfully as our Church Sexton for over eight years. As Church Sexton, Grace cares for our church by helping to maintain a clean and welcoming space for fellowship and worship needs.

Grace enjoys hosting Sojourners Lunch to serve the community and volunteers to provide beautiful flowers for the altar. She particularly loves the stained glass windows here at Hawley UMC and says that they "make her heart sing." Her favorite quote about stained glass is, "People are like stained glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there a light from within."

Joy Stebbins

Music & Chancel Choir Director

Joy Stebbins began her piano lessons at age 3, and organ lessons at age 5. Her first organ concert was at age 7 on a 3 manual pipe organ. Joy was a guest with a soloist with Allentown Symphony at ages 8 and 11. As well as a duet with Drew Spear's “Carnival of the Animals” with Philadelphia Symphony at age 12. In 1975 she rehearsed, accompanied, and conducted the Lehigh Division of “If My People” Cantata which debuted in Texas with Dean Jones narrating.

Joy has been not only a successful musician but an Organist and Choir director for 52 years, and a piano and organ teacher for 49 years. Joy was brought to HUMC by a dear friend, Marlee Olsen. Joy was welcomed with open arms by our congregation. We are blessed to have such a talented kind heart.

Celia Trayes

I began attending Lakeville United Methodist Church when Dick and I moved to Hawley from Pen Argyl and Bangor area by way of Philadelphia in 1976. He had attended veterinary school and I was teaching when we transitioned here. I continued to teach at the St. Vincent’s Catholic School in Honesdale. As our three children got older and their school friends started attending this location, we

started coming here too, around 1987. I got very involved in the church immediately, teaching Sunday School, singing in the choir, and eventually became the superintendent of Sunday School.

In 1990, the church acquired two octaves of English handbells and formed a choir under the direction of Ginger Fennel. Ringing handbells with other ringers was fun and enriching, I got addicted. I had the opportunity to take over as director in 1995 and from then on, we called ourselves, the Joyful Ringers. Each year, given the generosity and enthusiasm of the choir and our supporters, we have been able to grow our collection of bells and expand the number of choir member. [shameless plug for the Joyful Ringers: we are always looking to recruit you!] Throughout my time in this church, selecting and playing music that enhances the worship

experiences and deepens the faith of the community has been my greatest joy.

In my free time, I enjoy time outside and with my loved ones – gardening, e-biking, golfing, cooking for my family and friends, and most of all, laughing with my grandkids.

Brian Lee

Head of Maintenance and Facilities Coordinator

Brian’s dedication to keeping the church's physical space welcoming and functional is a true blessing to the congregation. His generosity is greatly appreciated, because he volunteers his time out of the goodness of his heart and his desire to serve Christ.

Brian's journey with Hawley UMC began when he was asked to serve as a trustee in 2020. Originally from Spring City, PA, Brian's work history includes employment at lumber yards and New Hanover Township Public Works. He has also served as a volunteer firefighter for an impressive 33 years, often taking on roles like Chief Engineer of trucks and even company president. When he's not dedicating his time to the church, he takes pleasure in working around his own house and guest house, staying updated with a police scanner, and watching baseball and football. As a big NASCAR fan.

Hawley UMC's "small but mighty" community is a source of joy for Brian, and he brings a wealth of experience to his role. With a background that includes years of experience at a large church, Brian's expertise ensures that the Hawley UMC's facilities are well-maintained and ready to serve its members and visitors

Michelle Westbrook

Treasurer

Michelle has been a valuable part of the Hawley United Methodist Church team since July 2020. Originally from Hawley, Michelle’s roots run deep in the community. She is a graduate of Wallenpaupack Area High School and holds an Associate’s degree in Accounting. Beyond her role at the church, Michelle works full time as an Accounting Analyst at Honesdale National Bank. Michelle’s passion for faith, community, and responsible stewardship makes her an integral part of the Hawley UMC family, and her dedication continues to enrich the lives of those she serves.

What Michelle loves most about Hawley UMC is the wonderful and faithful group of people she gets to work alongside. She believes that her journey to becoming the Treasurer here, as well as in other churches, was guided by God's calling. Outside of her professional and church responsibilities, Michelle finds joy in connecting with nature, especially near waterfalls. She's an avid reader, camper, hiker, and kayaker. Spending quality time with her family is another treasured aspect of her life.