UNION CHURCH
Our Pastor
John T. Redman
Originally from Colorado, John Redman graduated from a suburban Denver high school, then attended The Colorado College in Colorado Springs, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts with emphasis in Theatre. After graduation, he taught part time at the College for five years while he also designed and built productions in opera, theatre, ballet all over the Rocky Mountain West, and also worked on and appeared in several Hollywood features and TV commercials.
John moved his business operations to New York in 1979, although he kept an office and studio in Colorado Springs for several years, going back and forth for production work, and also as a consultant to architects and school systems for construction of theaters and auditoriums. By the time their son Jonathan was born in 1987, John and his wife Mary Lee were looking for a place to settle outside the City, and he closed the office in Colorado to concentrate on corporate and architectural clients in the Northeast, in addition to continuing work in theatre and dance production.
They moved to the Town of Goshen in 1990 and joined the First Presbyterian Church in Goshen in
1992, becoming a deacon later that year. John continued to work with many corporate and theatre clients in New York, but only traveled into the City one or two days a week while telecommuting from my office and production facility in Pine Island. He became an Elder in Goshen in 1999, and in 2000 he was elected to the School board in Florida, NY, where he has served for over twenty years, with five as its president. Other community involvements include Chambers of Commerce in Warwick and Pine Island, and since 2017 he has represented five counties in the Hudson Valley as a Director on the New York State School Boards Association’s Board of Directors.
John entered the CLP/CRE program of Hudson River Presbytery in 2017, enrolling at the Dubuque Theological Seminary in eight online courses over the next three years, plus quarterly seminars from the Presbytery. He was certified by the Presbytery Committee on Preparation for Ministry in August, along with serving a six-month internship at the Central Presbyterian Church in Middletown, under the mentorship of the Rev. Cliff Acklam.
His wife Mary Lee Farris, after a successful career as a Dramatic Soprano, continues to teach voice and piano privately, in addition to providing the music at the Scotchtown Presbyterian Church for over 10 years. Their son Jonathan lives in Florida, NY with his wife Morgan and they have just gifted us with our first grandchild, Magnolia Jo, born on December 16!
Contact John by email john.t.redman@gmail.com or phone (914) 474-0722.
Pastor’s office hours: Monday – Thursday from 10 am – 3 pm
Our Session
Elders are elected to oversee the preaching of the Gospel, continuity of Sacraments, nurture the community, and lead the church financially.
Class of 2022: Theresa Cotanche, Merle Hennessey, Robert Khare
Class of 2023: Dan Olson, Nancy Thomas, Mary Whidden, Sheila O'Donnell
Class of 2024: Janice Anderson, Jeff Bousche, Mina Park
Our Deacons
Ordained Deacons are called to a ministry of "compassion, witness, and service, sharing in the redeeming life of Jesus Christ for the poor, the hungry, the sick, the lost, the friendless, the oppressed, those burdened by unjust policies or structures, or anyone in distress". Book of Order
Class of 2022: Cathy McCarty, Sue Sloat, Donna Trafagander
Class of 2023: Gayle McKenzie, Jane Miller
Class of 2024: Sue Young, Arminda Porretto, Alana Gervais
Our Treasurer
Richard Smith is a native Newburgher. He came to Union in 1977 when the First United Presbyterian Church merged with and into Union Church. He served on the first Session of the merged church and since that time has served the church in many different roles. He has been the Treasurer since 2014.
Our Music Program
Mary Lee Farris is our Music Director and pianist; Nancy Stelling, Bell Choir Director
New members welcome! This is a great opportunity to sing and learn from a welcoming and gifted choir director and meet new friends.