Meet Our Pastors and Staff

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This page provides brief biographical information about the pastors and staff who provide leadership and direction for WUMC. On other pages in this section, you will find updates from the WUMC Leadership and NCNY Conference, and you will also learn about the Lay Leaders who oversee the varied ministry teams in our church.

 

Pastor Neal

 

The Reverend Richard W. Neal
Senior Pastor

E-mail: pastor@williamsvilleumc.org
Church phone: (716) 634-4800
Cell phone: (716) 984-3541

The Reverend Richard W. Neal has more than 35 years of diverse professional experience as a pastor in congregational, denominational, and nonprofit leadership; conflict mediation; and scholarly publishing and commercial printing. His strengths include preaching, Bible study, life-centered education, organizational planning and transitional development, and writing.

Ordained in 1984, Pastor Neal has served congregations in the Southern Illinois, Northern New Jersey, Troy, and Western New York annual conferences. During his ministry, Rich has served as chairperson of his conference boards of discipleship and ordained ministry and has been a partner in a private divorce and family mediation practice.

Before coming to parish ministry, Rich worked as a book designer and directed the production operations of two scholarly publishers – the University of Missouri Press and Southern Illinois University Press – and worked for a time before that in the commercial printing industry.

Pastor Neal has a strong commitment to community service. Among other activities, he has:

• Served as commander of a Civil Air Patrol squadron
• Developed the first United Methodist summer retreat ministry for persons with AIDS
• Founded a not-for-profit transitional housing corporation for persons with AIDS
• Served on the board of directors of the United Methodist retirement center in Saratoga Springs

Currently, Pastor Neal serves as a director of Habitat for Humanity/Buffalo. He is also a director of Niagara Frontier City Ministries and is chairperson of the Niagara Frontier District Council.

Rich’s personal interests include reading and writing, hiking, photography, typography and graphic design, bowling, watching old movies (and even newer ones), and spending as much time as possible with his wife Sheryl, who is director of social work at Beechwood Continuing Care, and their cairn terrier Logan in the home they share in Snyder.

  

 

Pastor Perry

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Pastor Nicholas Perry
Associate Pastor

E-mail: associatepastor@williamsvilleumc.org
Church phone:  (716) 634-4800
Cell phone: (716) 984-5483

Pastor Nicholas Perry comes to us from the Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas where he has been working on his Master’s of Divinity since 2006. During Nick’s first year at WUMC, he will complete requirements for this degree, with an expected graduation date of May 2010. While studying at Perkins School of Theology, Nick served as a student pastor at the St. Andrews and Murvaul United Methodist Churches in Carthage, Texas since 2008.

Pastor Nick earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Religion and Philosophy at Roberts Wesleyan College in Rochester in 2003. While attending college, he served as youth director at St. James UMC in Niagara Falls from 2003-2006. In his spare time, Nick enjoys Bible studies, team sports, and various types of exercise such as running, biking, and weight lifting.

Nick's wife Carmen, is also completing requirements to receive her Master’s of Divinity from Perkins School of Theology. Carmen works with Rev. Mary Champ Kelly and one other pastor to serve three congregations in the Buffalo area: University UMC, Cleveland Hill UMC, and Central Park UMC.

 

 

Barbara Saltarella

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Barbara Saltarella
Pastoral Assistant for Nurture and Visitation 

E-mail:  Barbara@williamsvilleumc.org or BWSaltarella@aol.com
Church phone: (716) 634-4800
Cell phone: (716) 472-5411

Barbara Saltarella is a Certified Lay Speaker and the Pastoral Assistant for Visitation and Nurture. Barbara has developed a unique and effective ministry to those who are hospitalized or homebound, or those who are residents in various levels of care facilities. Barb has completed Local Pastor Licensing School, which means that although she cannot yet perform the sacraments, she is authorized to preach.

 

 

Judy Toone

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Judith Toone
Director of Christian Education 

E-mail:  JToone@williamsvilleumc.org
Church phone: (716) 634-4800
Cell phone: (716) 604-5389

Judy Toone is the Director of Christian Education. She has been involved in Christian Education in United Methodist churches for much of her adult life working with all ages. Since she is UMCOR-trained, her training was put to good use helping children after the tragedy of September 11th. In addition, Judy has been an assistant leader in the UMCOR training of others. Her extensive background in working with children and adults with developmental disabilities has made Judy very sensitive to addressing the special needs of others. Her door is always open for input, feedback and new ideas in Christian Education Ministry.

 

 

 

Judy Stafford and Wendy Amuso

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Judith Stafford and Wendy Amuso
Music Directors

E-mail: music@williamsvilleumc.org
Church phone: 716-634-4800

Wendy Amuso and Judith Stafford are Co-Directors of the Music Ministry at WUMC. For over 20 years they have given leadership to the Chancel Choir (45 members strong), two handbell choirs, and our children's Advent Choir. They also recruit a number of excellent soloists and musicians for special music throughout the year.

The organ and piano are below the floor level of the sanctuary, making them hidden behind the altar. When people wonder who is playing that lovely music, we reply, "Judy and Wendy!"

Their musicianship is only surpassed by their dedication and Christian commitment. Judy and Wendy will happily welcome your involvement in any aspect of the WUMC Music Ministry.

 

 

Denise Barham

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Denise Barham
Church Administrator

E-mail:  Denise@williamsvilleumc.org
Church phone: (716) 634-4800

Denise Barham joined the WUMC staff as Church Administrator in 2007. In addition, Denise provides administrative assistance at Houghton College for the United Methodist Course of Study, which is a basic theological education program for licensed Local Pastors. She also serves as the Sunday School Education Director at Covenant United Methodist Church in West Seneca.

Denise's cheerful office is centrally located in the main office. Denise invites everyone to stop by. She'll gladly do what she can to help you get what you need. Denise lives in Cheektowaga with her two adult sons and her grandson. Denise enjoys doing different types of crafts and sewing when she has time.

 

 

Kathleen Ciccone

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Kathleen Ciccone
Nursery Care Supervisor

E-mail: wumc@williamsvilleumc.org
Church phone: 716-634-4800

Each Sunday morning when parents leave their precious infants and toddlers in the Crib Room at Williamsville United Methodist Church, they can rest assured the children are being lovingly watched over – thanks to Kathy Ciccone and the two nursery assistants that work with her. Kathy cares for infants and toddlers each Sunday from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. During the summer when we have one worship service, the Crib Room is available from 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. each Sunday.

The nursery assistants that work with Kathy are responsible for monitoring the paging system that is available to parents. In accordance with our Safe Santuaries Policy, they also ensure there are two adults present with your little ones at all times.

Kathy comes to WUMC as the lead child care provider for the Crib Room with years of nursing and child care experience. Kathy was raised in Buffalo and Cheektowaga, and now lives in Clarence Center. After graduating from Maryvale High School, she received her RN degree from the Meyer Memorial Hospital School of Nursing. During the 1970s Kathy worked as a RN at Meyer Memorial Hospital. She then worked as a pediatric nurse during the 1980s for Amherst Pediatric Clinic. Kathy took a break from nursing to raise her daughter and two sons and also care for her parents. During that time, Kathy continued to care for children by providing babysitting services in her home.

If you have any questions for Kathy, please leave a message for her at the church office (634-4800) and she will return your call.