The Rev. Robert Hewitt joined New Life July 1, 2022.   He comes to us from First United Methodist Church, Stamford after having served The Mountain View UMC in Walker Valley, NY (part of the NYAC), where as pastor he managed a complicated merger of three churches in 2006. The son of the Rev. Arthur and Beatrice Hewitt, he grew up in parsonages in upstate New York and received his M. Div. from Yale Divinity. He was ordained a full elder in 1993 and following two appointments in Connecticut, joined Pine Bush UMC in Pine Bush, New York. By 2003, churches in Bloomingburg, Bulllville and Walker Valley were added to his charge; he helped them discern that they would merge into one, The Mountain View UMC, consolidated their ministries and added to the congregation.

Rev. Hewitt says “I hope to continuously grow in effectiveness, influence, and impact in relationship with a community of people of Christian faith who are poised to adapt and grow.” He is the devoted father of Bella and Ben.

Contact Pastor Robb at: robert.hewitt@nyac-umc.com

Pastor Walton Brown loves Christ and people. He believes nothing is more important than our relationship with God and with each other. With a calling to serve God in the Armed Forces, he began serving as a Pastoral intern here at New Life. Pastor Brown also served God as a mentor in individual and large group at-risk youth mentoring (giving love and hope to those in low income, high crime rate areas), production ministry, caregiver, crisis counselor, and small group adult ministry. With Christ at the center, nothing is impossible!

Pastor Walton is now a Chaplain in the Armed Forces and has been deployed. Please cover him in Prayer as he shares God and Christ with those he is ministering to!

Beverly Steiger is the founder of Holy Yoga of Connecticut and serves as the Minister of Soul Care and Spiritual Formation at New Life UMC. She is a Yoga Teacher Trainer and Continuing Education Provider with Holy Yoga Global and Yoga Alliance. Beverly holds a Master of Public Health in Health Education and Health Promotion from Boston University, is currently in her second year of the Master of Divinity program at Drew Theological School and has provided more than 4,000 hours of yoga instruction and soul care. Formed in the Roman Catholic tradition, and growing in Wesleyan grace, Beverly is called to serve through United Methodist ministry and is a Declared Candidate for Ordination in the New York Annual Conference. She brings 25 years of experience in lay ministry, soul care, trauma-informed yoga therapeutics, and faith-based, embodied practices.

Sarah has been in fellowship with the Lord for over the last twenty years. A faithful and dedicated member of New Life for the last four years, she is the “happiest sexton in the world” and believes it is a privilege and honor to keep our beloved church looking RESPLENDENT (inside and out) and ready for services each week. 

Sarah finds joy in being a part of New Life’s Praise Team, and has used her gift for singing to bless the congregation and bring glory to God.   

When she’s not being a dirt detective for the church and people's homes (she cleans professionally as well), Sarah enjoys reading/listening to the Bible, playing soccer, kayaking, snowboarding, and running with her adorable mini dachshund. She finds inspiration through singing, playing guitar, writing songs, and rock painting.

Sarah and her wonderful husband, Jim, have been married for over thirty years, and often find themselves relishing in the beauteous display of God’s creation on their long road trips.

Contact Sarah at: iridewx@gmail.com 

M.J. is a musician on a mission. On fire for God and looking to build New Life United Methodist Church into a Mecca for Music Ministry in Southwestern Connecticut. In addition to his responsibilities at New Life, MJ is a piano instructor, as well as a professional musician performing in and around the greater New York area. He also Co-Owns an internet based writing company-The MusicCrafters.

Married to his lovely wife Lisa, they have five children between them. On his days off you’ll find him fishing or riding his motorcycle.

Contact MJ at: emjayv79@gmail.com 

Fred is a brother who is ON FIRE for Christ and Prays for ALL to come to know and SHARE the LOVE of Christ! Fred is a long time member of the church and has been working as the Office manager for going on 14 years and been involved with the Youth Ministry for almost 25 years, having taught High School, Middle School and 4/5 grade Sunday School. 

Fred has been married to the Love of his Life, Annie, for 33 years and has 7 fantastic children and 5 wonderful grand kids! Fred has personally known Christ for 55+ years.

Other places where you can always find Fred are; in the Sound/Video Booth as Sound/Video engineer on Sundays and in the Church Offices as Office Manager during the week.

Fred THANKS God for allowing him to serve and for the doors AND windows God has opened for him in his life and for the members of this church for believing AND loving him!!

Contact Fred at: nlccumc@aol.com