Greetings in the precious name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Through prayerful discernment and having completed the proper consultations according to The United Methodist Book of Discipline, I am happy to announce the appointment of the Rev. Megan A. Stowe as Superintendent of the Central Massachusetts District, effective July 1, 2019.
In 2014, Rev. Stowe was appointed as a pastor, on loan from the Upper New York Conference, to St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in St. Albans, the largest
church in the Vermont District. After witnessing her ministry, I was delighted to support her request to transfer to New England in 2016.
As a pastor, Rev. Stowe has provided leadership in making disciples for Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world, increasing St. Paul’s membership by 26 in 2018 alone.
She has a pastoral and passionate heart as evidenced in her ministry with all ages. Whether quilting baptismal blankets, teaching children, leading youth, young adult and lay servant groups or providing pastoral care for cancer patients or elderly congregants, she is fully engaged in bringing the love of our Creator God to all of God’s beloved children.
As a district superintendent, she will bring this same passion and commitment to care for the clergy and laity in her district and a new perspective and energy to the Cabinet.
Rev. Stowe has been especially proud of serving as chair of the Conference Board of Higher Education and Campus Ministry in all three conferences, and filling the roles of registrar, chair, and mentor to local pastors and provisional candidates on dCOM. These positions have been a huge part of her ministry to the connection.
Rev. Stowe’s first appointment was in the former Troy Conference in a three-point charge: Ellenburg/Ellenburg Center and Dannemora from 2004 to 2006; she was ordained in that conference in 2008. She served as associate pastor at Shenendehowa UMC in Clifton Park, NY, from 2006 to 2011. Her last appointment in what became the Upper NY Conference in 2010 was at Scotia UMC from 2011 to 2014.
Rev. Stowe earned a Master of Divinity at Boston University School of Theology and a Bachelor of Science in Anthropology at the University of Mexico. Her continuing education includes a spiritual pilgrimage to the Holy Land, Marcia McFee’s worship planning retreat, “Tending the Fire” and the General Board of Discipleship’s Young Adult Leader’s Summit.
Rev. Stowe and her husband, Stephen Schad, have two sons, Galen and Desi Schad.
I am excited and delighted that Rev. Stowe has agreed to join the Cabinet of the New England Conference as the Superintendent of the Central Massachusetts District. I believe strongly that her presence on the Cabinet will enhance our commitment to justice with a pastoral heart. Her diverse volunteer experience and commitment to United Methodist connectionalism will be additional blessings in our work together.
Rev. Stowe is one of the contributors to “We Pray with Her: Encouragement for All Women Who Lead;” in her prayer she writes: “… Make a way out of no way, providing us the ability to move forward. Help us to sing a new song of praise, for you are our God and we are your people, always and forever.”
May Rev. Stowe’s ministry in the days to come be one of offering new songs for the glory of God, filled with the love of Christ and empowered by the Holy Spirit.
At this time, I would like to acknowledge with deep appreciation the ministry and mission of the current Superintendent of the Central Massachusetts District, Rev. René Perez. His leadership as Dean of the Cabinet for the past three years, his inspiration of the “moving and shaking” that has ignited his district, and his spirit of collegiality with the clergy and laity are much appreciated. I am grateful that Rev. Perez will be continuing his ministry in the New England Conference as I intend to appoint him as pastor of Trinity UMC, Springfield, MA, as of July 1, 2019.
Please keep Rev. Stowe, Rev. Perez, their families, the staff, clergy and laity of the Central Massachusetts District, the New England Conference, and me in your prayers during these months of transition.
