G&P-cropped

May 19, 2014

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

It is with great joy and anticipation that I write this letter to introduce myself to the people of Athens-Cantrell United Methodist Churches. I am truly excited about the possibilities ahead of us as we share, together, in ministry.
 
I graduated from Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary’s Course of Study last year and have had the privilege of serving Cropsey and Wesbein United Methodist Churches in McLean County, Illinois for the past seven years.
 
I had thought about becoming a minister since I was a child, but at that time there were no women pastors. I majored in Journalism instead. My first job was in television and then I moved on to radio news. I did that for nearly 30 years before going into ministry. However, when we moved to Bloomington-Normal, my dream of becoming a pastor came true.
 
My husband, Greg, and I are both from Kansas and attended Kansas University. Greg majored in Business and his MBA from the University of Sioux Falls. He spent most of his career working in non-profit organizations. Most recently he served as President/ CEO of United Way of McLean County.
 
Beyond my work in ministry, my life is centered on our family. Greg and I were married in March, 1976. We have two adult sons; Steve and Jeff. Steve and his wife, Kristi, are attorneys in Garden City, Kansas. And–I write this with a big smile on my face–they are the parents of our first grandchild, Jackson Paul; he’s 19 months old. They have another little one on the way due July 15. Like his Mother and Dad, Steve is a Jayhawk fan.
 
Jeff lives with his wife, Ashley, in Olathe, Kansas, a suburb of Kansas City. Jeff has worked in the wholesale tool business for the last eight years. Ashley is an RN, and goes to KU studying to be a Nurse Practitioner. Like some of you, Jeff is a dye-hard Cubs fan.
 
Greg and I are so very excited about becoming a part of your communities. We look forward to forming new relationships and ministering to you.
 
In Faith and Fellowship,
Paulette Cott