----------------Fr. Mike Neufeld-------------------
Personal:
- Born and raised in New York City
- Married to the Rev'd Ellen C. Neufeld
Education:
- 1974 – BA Psychology – Seton Hall University
- 1975 – Graduate Theology – St Michael’s College
- 1976-77 – Christ the King Seminary
- 1983 – MA Theology – Fordham University
- 1993 – Diploma Anglican Studies – General Seminary
How God Called Me:
I was raised in a serious Christian home, although one that was not without its challenges and brokenness. I was raised with the fear of God and in fact knew a great deal of fear in my life into adulthood. The love of God was able to conquer much of this fear, as I came to know the depths of our Savior Jesus Christ’s saving love, as I found true life in His cross and resurrection.
In some way, I always knew I was called to active ministry. Since my college days, I have sought to serve the Lord and His people, as a Parish Christian Educator, as Director of a Church run group home, and as a minister to the homeless at one of the largest soup kitchens in the United States.
While each of these experiences was wonderful, none expressed the call I was given. My “yes” to the call to become a Priest and my willingness to undergo the long and quite often painful process toward Ordination has formed in me a deeper faith, a clear sense of my own gifts, as well as my deficiencies and failings. (God can often work more through our weaknesses than He can through our strengths.)
By the grace of God, I was ordained a Deacon and a Priest in 1994. I have served in two parishes as an Assistant Priest as well as 3 wonderful years as an Army Chaplain.
Coming to St Andrew’s:
Coming to St Andrew’s has been like coming home. This has been the perfect place for me and I hope that I have been able to give even a fraction of what the people here have given to me. The last eight years have been the greatest years of my life and I look forward to many more.
---------------------Deacon MaryCarol Hart--------------------
Personal:
- Born, Ellis Hospital, Schenectady, NY.
- Cradle Episcopalian and lifelong Scotia resident.
- Married to the Rev. Alan R. Hart at St. Andrew’s, Scotia, May 22, 1994.
Education:
- 1974 graduate of Scotia-Glenville High School.
- Education For Ministry @ St George’s Church, Clifton Park, NY.
- Deacon School @ St. Andrew’s, Scotia. Ordained June 10, 2006.
How God Called Me:
Since childhood, I have felt the need to be a caretaker and to be of service to others. (My childhood idol was Eleanor Roosevelt.) The call to the Diaconate seemed to me an extension of this feeling. Even so, it was while the Rev. Mary Chilton was Priest-in-Charge at St. Andrew’s that the process actually began. She encouraged me and recommended that I read the Acts of the Apostles to learn more about the ministry of deacons. After much prayer, time, and thought, I felt the nudge to move forward, and was very pleased and humbled when the Vestry agreed to present me as a candidate. Their support, and the support of the entire congregation, continues to be invaluable; the ministry of the Diaconate is an ongoing process. While reading and studying Holy Scripture helps me to grow and mature in faith, I find that those to whom I minister have much to offer me in knowledge and in the sharing of their faith with me. I look forward to ministering and being ministered unto at St. Andrew’s for years to come.
----Organist & Choir Director, Janet Gerbino----------
