United Methodist Church names new pastor

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Pastor Lillian M. Hertel has been appointed by Bishop Thomas Bickerton as Pastor of the Bellmore United Methodist Church. Pastor Hertel’s appointment began on July 1, 2021.

Pastor Hertel and her husband Howard have five daughters and nine grandchildren.

Born and raised in Brooklyn, Hertel became a child of God through baptism in the Roman Catholic faith.

Circumstance in her life caused her to move away from Roman Catholicism to the Lutheran Church Missouri, and finally to the United Methodist Church.

Starting her journey in United Methodism, Pastor Hertel became a certified speaker, participated in leadership training and pastoral care specialist training.

In 2009, she began a voyage of discovery culminating in ordination in November 2020. She received her Master’s in Divinity from the Drew Theological School at Drew University. A life-long spiritual journey brought her to Bellmore United Methodist Church.

Pastor Hertel and her favorite puppet Max love talking to the children during the children’s sermon. Pastor Hertel and Max previously served in North Georgia at Livingston UMC and Floyd Springs UMC and in New York at Hampton Bays UMC, West Hills UMC, St. Paul’s UMC on Staten Island and The First UMC of Central Islip and Hauppague UMC.

“God called me later in life and I often wondered about God’s plan for me,” Hertel said. “I have come to realize that as a baby boomer, I am in a unique position to serve the increasing senior population who lived through the changing world of the late 20th century and into the 21st century.

“God has blessed me with the gifts needed to lead, nurture, protect, guide and teach others in their walk with God,” she continued. “It is God’s love, all God had done that inspires me; it is my love of God and God’s people that motivates me; and it is my desire to share the gift of God’s love with others that drives me.”

Pastor Hertel believes in diverse, vibrant spirit worship that makes use of the gifts and talents of the congregation, which results in fruitful ministry as members of all ages comfortably take on active roles in worship services. Through her gifts of administration and leadership, she intends to motivate, train, guide and support laity to use their gifts for Gods’ purposes and step out of their comfort zone to serve the Bellmore and greater Long Island community.

Join the church in welcoming Pastor Lillian Hertel to the community on Sunday, Sept. 19 for the “Celebration of Appointment” service starting at 10 a.m.
Services are held every Sunday at 10 a.m. at the Sanctuary at 2655 Claredon Avenue in Bellmore.

Courtesy Bellmore United Methodist Church; compiled by Andrew Garcia